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74
Power is also given under Section 5 to the Local Government
Board, to transfer further powers from the London
County Council to the Metropolitan City and Borough
Councils, or vice versa, on the application of the London
County Council, and the majority of the Borough Council,
by means of a Provisional Order.
In this way, it will be seen that, by the Local Government
Act of 1899, important powers have already been transferred
from the London County Council to the Metropolitan City
and Borough Councils, dealing with the milk supply, and
dairies, slaughter-houses, knackers' yards, and offensive
businesses, the provision of lodging houses for the working
classes, supervision of common lodging houses, etc.
What is really wanted is for the principle already clearly
laid down by the Legislature to be strictly adhered to, and
for the London County Council or other Central Authority
only to act in default. Apart from this, from an administrative
point of view, the licensing of offensive trades, slaughterhouses,
knackers' yards and cowsheds might be left with the
Sanitary Authorities concerned, as is now the licensing of
dairies, thereby avoiding the present dual control by the
officers of two separate Authorities—dual control at all times
tending to weaken administration.
Joseph Priestley,
July 15th, 1907. Medical Officer of Health.