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9
of the Royal Society of Health for Inspectors of Meat and other foods.
This officer was rather older than the usual student when he joined the
staff of the Health Department. As he had not previously obtained the
necessary preliminary qualifications, it meant that although he has always
been successful at examination he had to study continuously in his spare
time for almost eight years before being accepted two years ago under
the Council's training scheme. His tenacity of purpose is much to be
commended and has set an excellent example to the other students in the
department.
The long-term policy of training students adopted by this Council and
other authorities is making a most valuable contribution toward overcoming
the shortage of inspectors which exists throughout the country.
Opportunity has been taken again this year to include in the report the
map (facing page 70) showing parts of the City where Smoke Control
Orders are already in force, and the Council's proposals for the future.
The programme approved by the City Council provides for the whole of
Westminster to be smokeless by the autumn of 1965, and good progress
is being made.
For many years complaints of noise nuisance averaged about forty a
year; in 1961 the number increased sharply to eighty. The passing of
the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, and the activities of the Noise Abatement
Society have quite rightly made the public more " noise conscious ",
and this apart from any actual increase in noise has accounted for a
number of the additional complaints.
There are a number of manufacturing, demolition, and building
processes which could and should be undertaken more quietly. In many
cases this can be done without detracting from efficiency, and there is no
possible excuse for allowing excessive noise to continue. In some other
cases, it must be admitted that a substantial reduction of noise does entail
some loss of efficiency, but this is a price which must be paid if the working
and resident population of Westminster is to be protected. Fortunately
officers of the Public Health Department usually secure the willing cooperation
of contractors and others carrying out works in the City and
formal action is seldom necessary.
My thanks are due to the staff of the Public Health Department for
their unfailing support during the year, and to my colleagues in other
departments for their co-operation and help.
Finally, Mr. Mayor, I would thank you, the Chairman and Members of
the Public Health Committee, and all Members of the Council, for the
many kindnesses you have shown to me during 1961.
J. H. Briscoe-Smith,
Medical Officer of Health.
June, 1962.
(11247) A3