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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough of Paddington
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1954.
Vital Statistics
There has been no marked variation in the birth rate 17.44 (17.02) but there was a reduction in the death rate
9.67 (12.63) occasioned mainly by the reduction in the number of deaths from malignant disease 286 (542). There has
been a reduction both in the incidence 195 (247) and in the deaths 16 (24) from pulmonary tuberculosis.
The incidence of infectious disease in the Borough has again been low.
Staffing
In common with most districts in the country, Paddington has throughout the year been below the establishment
of Sanitary Inspectors. On the 31st December your Public Health Department was three below the permitted establishment
of eighteen. During the year four Sanitary Inspectors left to take up other appointments and one Sanitary
Inspector was appointed.
The Establishment Committee agreed to appoint four Area Inspectors, responsible to me for the work of the
Sanitary Inspectors in their respective areas. Four of the senior inspectors were promoted after interview by the
Establishment Committee (viz. Messrs. Atkins, Mains, Ronchetti and Wilde) and graded APT VII for the additional
responsibility. This arrangement has been in operation since 1st April, 1954, and has increased the efficiency of the service
to the public, and also helped considerably to expedite the administration of the department.
During the year two temporary Student Sanitary Inspectors were appointed with the intention of facilitating
recruitment to the department.
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954
It was generally anticipated that when this Act came into operation on 31st August, 1954 the time of your Sanitary
Inspectors would be almost entirely occupied by inspections prior to the granting of the appropriate certificate. As
events proved, however, by the end of the year only 51 applications for certificates had been received, and 42 had been
granted.
With regard to the provisions as to clearance and redevelopment, and reconditioning of unfit houses, Section 1
requires every local authority within one year after the commencement of this Act to submit to the Minister of Housing
and Local Government proposals for dealing with houses which appear to the local authority to be unfit for human
habitation, and with any other houses in its area which are, or in the opinion of the local authority ought to be, included
in clearance areas. Preliminary surveys have taken place and in accordance with the procedure laid down by the
Minister proposals and plans will be discussed with the London County Council before joint submission to the Minister.
Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954 are of consequence in so far as they supersede the
provisions of the Housing Act, 1936 and the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 to make and enforce bye-laws relating
to houses let in lodgings. A general power is now given to local authorities to require in houses which are in multiple
occupation " a simple code of amenities " viz. an adequate provision of natural lighting, ventilation, water supply,
sanitary conveniences, facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and prevention of overcrowding. It should
be noted that the Minister considers that the amenities required should be considered in respect of each case separately.
Inspection of Food and Food Premises
I would like to draw particular attention to the work of your two Food Inspectors.
During the year no less than 802 visits were paid by them to restaurants and cafes, and 6,004 visits to other food
shops. In addition 600 food and drug samples were submitted to the Public Analyst. These figures in themselves
indicate the care and'attention which is directed to the protection of the food supplies in the Borough.
In accordance with Section 154 of the Factories Act, 1937 I recommended the Council to authorise the renewal
of certificates of suitability for a further period of five years in respect of four underground bakehouses. At the previous
quinquennial inspection 19 underground bakehouses had been granted certificates.