London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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79
The Public Health Committee considered the question of noise on a
reference from the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee.
The former was reminded that noise had been recognized for some years
as something which should be controlled by law inasmuch that the City
Council and the London County Council had made by-laws in instances
such as music near hospitals, street shouting, &c., &c., &c.
Complaints are received in the department from time to time as to
noise arising from machinery in buildings near dwellings, collection and
delivery of milk churns and many other causes. Usually the only
remedy available for the complainant is to move for an injunction.
At the present time the local authority has no powers to deal with
noise other than that regulated by particular by-law. The trend of opinion
is, however, moving towards some measures for the control or prohibition
of noise, and the time may not be far distant when the legislature may
give effect to what appears to be a growing public desire.
Sale of Old Clothes. Proposed legislation.—Upon a reference from the
Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee, the City Council on
the 7th November resolved to agree in principle with a proposal that the
London County Council be asked to include a clause in their next General
Powers Bill empowering the Borough Councils to regulate the sale of old
clothes from shops or stalls.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928.—There are no premises in the City
which come within the provisions of these Acts.
Removal of infirm and diseased persons in certain cases.—The London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, Section 28, provides similar
powers to those contained in the Bradford Corporation Act, as regards
aged and infirm or physically incapacitated persons residing in premises
rendered insanitary owing to their neglect, or under insanitary conditions;
also persons suffering from any grave chronic disease.
The Act provides for the compulsory removal of such person and for
his detention in a hospital or infirmary for a period of three months.
The procedure entails application to a petty sessional court for a removal
order, submission of medical evidence, rights of appeal by the person
affected, etc.
There has been no occasion to enforce these legal powers. The mere
fact that these powers exist has in all instances succeeded where ordinary
persuasion seemed likely to fail in obtaining the removal of helpless old
people. In many cases they live alone, are too ill to look after themselves
and cannot keep either themselves or their surroundings clean.