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are only 61 per cent of those of the previous year. The death rate
from pulmonary tuberculosis, which had shown a steep drop in 1958
continued this trend in 1959 and fell to 5 per 100,000 population, which
again is the lowest on record—perhaps abnormally so as it was only
half the County of London figure, whereas in previous years the County
of London figure had been more nearly matched.
Clean air
The paragraphs on atmospheric pollution in section B give details
of the work done during the year aind can at present be taken to
indicate the proposed plan for conversion of the whole borough into a
smoke control area. This work, which is great in magnitude but which
can have corresponding beneficent results, has been carried out by
the normal staff of public health inspectors and, with a little augmentation,
the normal staff of clerical assistants. All manner of problems
both large and small have cropped up and have (it is hoped) been overcome
with help and cooperation of the staff. I think it is true to say
that this borough is as advanced as any metropolitan borough, and
indeed almost as advanced as any other area in the country, in its work
of conversion to smoke control.
Old people
No additional clubs applied for grant aid and altogether 14 clubs
or organisations were in receipt of grants from the Council. Details
are shown in the body of the report. The grant is reviewed each year
and perhaps the chief factor in an upward revision is an indication,
(by the atmosphere of the club and particularly by the expansion of
numbers and existing facilities and by the institution of new facilities)
that the club is increasing its activities or comfort for its members.
The iniumber of old people on the club registers of the grant-aided clubs
showed a slight increase during the year (thereby reversing the trend of
the previous two years). A poster competition to aid recruitment was
arranged by the Council through the agency of the Central old people's
organisation and attracted a fair number of entries some of which, particularly
the first prize-winning entry, was regarded as having out of the
ordinary merit. Arrangements are now in hand for reproducing the
prize-winning entry (with certain modifications) as a general poster for
local use.
A committee has been formed under the auspices of the King
Edward's Hospital Fund to examine the facilities for old people's welfare
in the borough and to make recommendations. Some eight organisations
are represented on the committee, of which I am a member,
anid one of the earlier decisions was that a house-to-house survey of a
large part of the borough was essential. Arrangements are being made
for this, but carrying it out will involve some considerable delay in the
findings of the committee.