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81
The Minister agreed to decide as to the transfer, &c , of functions and
in September, 1932, made a draft order embodying his proposals.
Those proposals, so far as they relate to public health, included the
transfer from the London County Council of the administration of seamen's
lodging houses, common lodging houses, cow houses, offensive trades,
slaughter houses and under maternity and child welfare services, the
administration of infant life protection under Part 1 of the Children Act,
1908.
The Medical Officer of Health reported that there were no seamen's
lodging houses, cow houses, offensive trades or slaughter houses in the
City and that the supervision of the six common lodging houses in the
City could be carried out by the Council's Sanitary Inspectors. The
number of children under the care of foster mothers being relatively
small, the work of supervision, &c., under the Children Act, 1908, might
be undertaken by the Council's Health Visitors. In neither case was
additional staff required; the general cost of administration should not
exceed £50 per annum.
The City Council agreed to the transfer to itself of the above-mentioned
public health duties as proposed in the draft orders.
Ministry of Health Survey.—The survey carried out by Dr. F. R.
Seymour at the request of the Ministry of Health, and referred to in last
year's Report, was completed early in 1932. In October the Minister
communicated to the City Council his views after consideration of Dr.
Seymour's report, of which the chief points are briefly as follows :—
1. A reasonable standard of efficiency and progress in public health
services is being maintained by the Council.
Note.—This is the term of reference quoted from the Local
Government Act, 1929.
2. Co-operation with voluntary hospitals is good, but might be
improved in the sphere of ante-natal work.
Note.—The new conditions of the Council's grant to
Charing Cross Hospital embodies this suggestion.
3. New premises for the centre at Bessborough Street should be
considered when an opportunity arises.
Note.—When conditions improve this suggestion will
receive early consideration.
4. The Tuberculosis Notification Register should be revised more
frequently.
Note. -Revision is now made annually and not quinquennially
as formerly.