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which caused the high death rate in 1929 for respiratory diseases ; to
which same cause may be attributed the decline during 1930 in the rate
for pulmonary tuberculosis. This fell from .98 in 1929 to .85 in 1930.
As regards infectious disease, while there was an increase in the number
of cases, there were fewer deaths. Smallpox was prevalent in certain
districts of London but Westminster fortunately remained free except
for three cases. This freedom, when one considers the enormous daily
influx of workers from infected districts, must be due either to the well
vaccinated state of Westminster inhabitants or to the high standard of
sanitary conditions in this City—according to whichever view is held on
the subject of the prevention and incidence of Smallpox. The work of
supervising contacts from other districts at work in the City demanded
as last year a great deal of time.
Dr. Thomson, Assistant Medical Officer of Health, has submitted
his report on the work of the diphtheria immunization clinics held at
the Welfare Centres. It is included in the section dealing with infectious
diseases. There is a small increase in the number of cases treated. This
method of prevention is now firmly established and the benefits of
protecting children from a dangerous disease are becoming more and
more appreciated.
The Tuberculosis Regulations 1930 which came into operation in
1931 provide for certain changes in the classification and transmission
of notifications, define the responsibility of notification in certain cases
and suggest methods in the keeping of records.
The Housing Act, 1930. Reports dealing with various provisions in
the Act while it was still in the form of a bill before Parliament, were
submitted by me to the Housing and Public Health Committees. In
the autumn the Council submitted to the London County Council a
statement as to housing operations in hand or in contemplation in response
to an enquiry by the latter. The London County Council are required
under the Housing Act, 1930, to submit proposals to the Minister relating
to housing measures and to obtain information from the borough councils.
Section 101 (6), Local Government Act, 1929—Grants to voluntary
associations carrying out Maternity and Child Welfare duties. The
Minister by order fixed the annual grants payable by the City Council
to the Westminster Health Society, the Infants' Hospital, Vincent Square,
Charing Cross Hospital and the British Red Cross Society Day Nursery.
These payments include sums formerly paid direct by the Ministry. Prior