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20
Women Sanitary Inspectors.
Total number of visits and inspections (factories,
workplaces, infectious disease, etc.) 2,103
Total number of revisits 238
Total number of intimation notices served 115
Workshops in which defects were found 154
The two vacancies in the staff of sanitary inspectors caused
through seconding two inspectors to the Housing Committee for
duties connected with the repairs and alterations of requisitioned
property were filled in October and December respectively. The
inspection of premises and the service of notices to remedy defects
was carried through by a diminished staff to the best of their
ability but the steady worsening of circumstances throughout
the year made much of their work of little avail. Inability to
obtain licences to comply with the requirements of notices led to
much exasperation among owners who wanted to comply, and
on the other hand there was an increasing tendency for other
owners to sit back and do nothing, playing off in turn the War
Damage Commission and the Licensing Department against the
sanitary inspector's efforts. Towards the end of the year it became
evident that house property was wearing out faster than replacements
could be expected and it only required severe storm conditions
to create an ugly position. Fortunately the weather was
never so unkind, and later the improved position of materials
and labour allowed some easement, but there are large areas in
the district of worn-out property which cannot be expected to
hold together longer than a few years more.
The nuisances on open spaces as well as on derelict property
and former static water tanks has continued to be the cause of
complaint throughout the year. The fire service does help by
pumping out accumulations of water but has no facilities for
clearing the masses of waste and junk which are tipped by all
and sundry. If the owner can be found he can be forced to abate
the nuisance caused by an accumulation, but it will recur again
and again unless the property is adequately fenced—a matter of
no small difficulty with labour and materials as they are, quite
apart from the expense. The only permanent cure would seem
to be the erection of new buildings, a slow process which has been
started on a few only of the many vacant sites.
Public Health (London) Act 1936, Section 224
One application was made for an order under this section for
the compulsory removal to an institution and detention therein