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visits and the use of film strips. The work is undertaken by the Public Health Inspectors
in conjunction with the Health Education Officer,
The Health Department entered a decorated float in the Tower Hamlets Carnival based
on the theme "Wash Your Hands" and were awarded second prize in the Civic Publicity
Section, with a cash award of six guineas, which was donated to the Tower Hamlets Health
Amenities Fund
Slum Clearance
In addition to the present quinquennial programme which is nearing completion, other
additional areas have been represented which formed part of the Council's 10 year
housing programme These properties would have been included in the next slum clearance
programme at present under preparation.
Lorry Drivers
If necessity is the mother of invention then it is high time that proper provision,
checked by statutory controls, was made to accommodate long distance transport drivers and
their vehicles. It is important that all such premises should be required to be registered
with the Local Authority and that standards to control overcrowding and the provision of
amenities be legally enforceable.
The Council has adopted a standard for overcrowding and amenities, but although it is
being enforced where applicable it still has yet to withstand the test of the Courts.
Drainage and Water Closet dyelaws
New drainage work and alteration to existing drainage is supervised by the Public
Health Inspectors, who also observe on all plans submitted to the Council. During the year
238 plans were examined and 5,539 visits made to work in progress. With the trend to use
new materials for drainage work, both above and below ground, supervision of the work on
site is of paramount importance to ensure that only approved materials are used.
There is a tendency to drift from the provisions of the bye-laws, particularly where
enclosed water closets are installed, It is difficult to appreciate what is to be gained
by not siting a water closet and bathroom on an externa] wall when the inconvenience of
absence of natural lighting and ventilation also necessitates the expense of installing
and maintaining a system of mechanical ventilation. Where mechanical ventilation is
installed, on this account, the balance of the system is checked by the Public Health
Inspector using an anemometer.
Staff
The position regarding technical staff has remained numerically static.
The Department has at present six Student Public Health Inspectors including three
students in their fourth and final year. During the year two students who sat the final
examination succeeded in passing and were appointed to the Inspectorial staff.
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