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Renewal of the Council's defective sewers will be a lengthy and extremely costly
operation, but until substantial progress has been made with the task it will be
necessary to make every effort to reduce the number of rats to a miminum by poisoning and
confining them to the sewers, but it is unlikely that any appreciable progress will be
made towards eradication of the problem in areas served by the sewers in question.
Clean Air
This year the Health Committee recommended the Council to make the London Borough of
Tower Hamlets Smoke Control Orders Nos. 3 and 4. These Orders when confirmed by the
Minister of Housing and Local Government in July completed the Council's programme and
brought the whole of the borough under Smoke Control Orders, It is true that much was
done by the constituent authorities, but the Council may, nevertheless, be justifiably
proud to be among the first three London Boroughs to complete its programme, despite the
disturbance caused by amalgamation of boroughs in 1965, its many other commitments and the
fact that at no time were the constituent authorities or the Council entirely free from
staffing problems,
Health Education
Public health inspectors have continued to play an active part in the field of health
education Many parties studying subjects related to environmental hygiene have been
received in the department. Requests for assistance in connection with student training
are now received from the Ministry of Overseas Development at regular intervals.
It is pleasing to record the spirit of co-operation and splendid liaison existing
between public health inspectors and the health education officer. As a result of the
combined efforts of these officers talks and conducted educational visits have been
organised for senior schoolgirls and guidance given to parties of women employed in the
home help service.
The success of these arrangements, firstly the education of the young and secondly
the education of untrained personnel employed in the health services may be measured by
the enthusiasm with which they are received, and the popularity of this programme has
been so great as to leave no doubt that it should be continued in the future.
Food Hygiene
Efforts to secure the necessary improvements to food stalls bringing them up to the
standard set by the Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations,have
been frustrated by an extraordinary obstinacy and resistance which seems to be a
peculiar characteristic of street traders. All street traders were circularised at the
beginning of the year,advising them of the introduction of the regulations and summarising
the provisions. Visits to the stalls by public health inspectors followed.
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