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30
On the 17th December, 1959, the City Council expressed its
disagreement with the proposals on the ground, inter alia, that any
decision by the Minister on this matter should be deferred until the Royal
Commission on Local Government in Greater London had made its
report, and the Minister was informed accordingly.
Subsequently a letter, dated 25th March, 1960, was received from
the London County Council stating that the Minister had notified the
County Council that he will defer making any decision on the proposals
until the report of the Royal Commission has been received and
considered.
Health Education
Section 298 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, provides that
" a sanitary authority may arrange for the publication of information
on questions relating to health or disease, and for the delivery of
lectures, and the display of pictures (including cinematography displays)
in which such questions are dealt with."
In his Report for the year 1953, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry
of Health stated.... " Progress (in health education) has now so far
developed that there must be few public health departments in the
country where health education receives indifferent attention Health
education has come to mean something more than a subsidiary function
and responsibility; it is now regarded as a primary activity of local
authorities, which demands sound understanding and wise planning if
it is to attain any reasonable measure of achievement "
It is impossible for a local authority Department with a modest
budget to compete with the high power advertising campaigns which are
undertaken in the West End. It was, however, felt that some success in
health education might be achieved by circularising posters and leaflets
to all old people's clubs, youth clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Guide troops,
and to various voluntary organisations in Westminster, for exhibition
at their meeting places. The topic chosen in 1960 was a "Kill That
Fly" Campaign, and the success of this small venture indicates that
scope exists for further health education activities in the future, notwithstanding
the competition which exists.
The secretaries of the local Tenant's Associations, the local Chamber
of Commerce and of the seven Street Associations, were informed of the
Council's campaign and their co-operation sought.
Whilst the majority of posters and leaflets were obtained from the
Central Council for Health Education, it was found that no bookmark
existed dealing with nuisance from flies. A specially designed bookmark
was, therefore, produced by the Public Health Department and 20,000
copies were distributed through the City Council's libraries.