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ally difficult to make each tenement self-contained, and provided with
scullery, water supply, larder and sanitary conveniences. An improvement
of this kind on a large scale could not be undertaken by the present
holders of the leases—in most cases sub-leases—who depend for their
income upon the boarders or tenants, but would Lave to be undertaken
by the freeholder or by the Council. It is fi aently found that in
order to make the most out of the house, the best l ooms are let, and the
leaseholder lives in the basement, which, although complying with legal
requirements, is generally the least desirable part of the dwelling.
Factories, Workshops, and Work Places have been frequently
inspected. Many have undertaken Government work, and alterations
have had to be made in consequence. The conditions under which
work is now carried out in factories and workshops under Government
control, have been much improved through the action of the Special
Committee appointed by the Ministry of Munitions. From complaints
which have reached me from t me to time it would appear desirable
that the welfare of those engaged in clerical work should receive equal
attention. The number of outworkers employed was about the same
as in 1916, but a reduction has taken place in the number doing tailoring
work, while there is an increase in those employed in making dresses
and lingerie.
Food Supply.—The introduction at the beginning of the year of
methods of Food Control very considerably increased the work of the
Public Health Department, to which was relegated the duty of seeing that
the numerous Orders of the Controller were observed. The Public Meals
Order and the Cake and Pastry Order especially led to frequent visits
to restaurants, hotels, tea shops, and bakers, and advantage was taken
in the course of these visits to inspect the general conditions of the
premises. Later in the year, restrictions were placed on the sale of meat,
jams, tea, coffee, butter, &c., &c. Some 5,000 visits were paid for the
purpose of checking contraventions of the Orders. Difficulty was experienced
by many of those engaged in business in understanding the
Orders, and not a few were ignorant of their existence. These had to be
explained to them, and assistance given as to how the Orders were to be
carried out. This was especially the case with regard to the Food
Registers, and occupied much time and patience. Some 400 contraventions
(besides many trivial ones) were reported, and prosecutions resulted in
about half that number. Many of the offences were due to carelessness,
but a small proportion were undoubtedly wilful attempts to evade the
Orders.