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country. This, added to the improved salary scales approved by the
City Council in April, 1962, made it possible during the year not only
to fill vacancies which had existed for several years but also to fill two
posts which were added to the establishment in connection with the survey
of houses in multiple occupation. Although some posts remained vacant
for the majority of the year, by December, 1962, the public health
inspectorate was at full strength for the first time since 1956. This
improved state of affairs has naturally resulted in an increase in the
number of inspections undertaken during the year and these are recorded
throughout the Report. These new inspectors are all widely experienced
officers and now that they have come to work in London it is to be hoped
that they will settle down happily in the service of the City Council.
In April, 1960, in an endeavour to overcome the shortage of public
health inspectors which existed at that time, the City Council authorised
the employment of three assistants in the Department, who held appropriate
qualifications in building, plumbing, food or allied trades, to help
with certain aspects of the routine work of the inspectors. This proved
very successful, and the officers appointed gave good service to the
Council. In 1962, however, as a result of the improved recruiting
position mentioned above, these three posts were deleted from the
establishment. All the occupants of these posts held the necessary
preliminary qualifications and wished to become public health inspectors;
they were accordingly placed in vacancies which existed for student
public health inspectors.
The Council's training programme for student public health inspectors
continues to operate satisfactorily. During 1962, two students qualified
and were appointed to posts in the Department. At the present time,
four students are under training; this number will increase to five in
September, 1963 the maximum number of students which, under the
regulations of the Public Health Inspectors Education Board, can be
accepted by the existing staff of qualified inspectors.
It is only by this long-term policy of training, adopted by this Council
and other authorities, that the present nation-wide shortage of inspectors
will be overcome.
In 1962 a total of 4,507 inspections were made of catering premises
in Westminster. The City Council has a special responsibility to ensure
that good standards are maintained in restaurants and other catering
establishments in Westminster, where thousands of meals are served
each day, mainly to non-residents, including the many visitors and
tourists, who come for business, shopping and amusement. It is important
that the food consumed should be wholesome, the premises satisfactory,
and hygiene and sanitation of the highest order.
Westminster is also the place of work of many thousands of persons
living in and around London. The proposed Offices, Shops, etc., Bill,
at present before Parliament, will place an additional burden on the