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2 REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1954
the movement of populations into Wandsworth from other parts
of London, following on the development of the new estates in the
Borough. There were only seven cases of confirmed poliomyelitis
and no deaths. Once again, I am pleased to report that there were
no confirmed cases of diphtheria notified.
I referred last year to the importance of housing as a social and
public health problem and to the importance of good and adequate
housing as a basic need for the family in the same way as are good
food, pure and wholesome water and fresh air. During the year,
the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, became law and its
working imposed additional responsibility on the health department,
particularly as to that part of the Act dealing with the issue of
Certificates of Disrepair. In spite of the fact that these sections of
the Act allowed some scope for differences of interpretation, no real
difficulty was experienced and the work under the Act proceeded
quite smoothly. As anticipated, after a period of inertia, there was a
flood of applications by tenants which, however, have gradually
tailed off. I should like to take the opportunity of expressing my
appreciation for the work of the Sanitary Inspectors, on whom the
bulk of the responsibility for the initial inspection and the making of
reports fell. In spite of shortage of staff, I am glad to say that they
met their extra responsibility very adequately.
The other important part of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act
is that dealing with slum clearance and at the end of the year,
measures had been taken to complete the returns necessary under the
Act. In terms of legally unfit properties, it may be that Wandsworth
has no problem of the magnitude of some of the large industrial
areas in the North and the Midlands. But while the number of
houses which are statutorily unfit for human habitation may be
comparatively small in Wandsworth, the number of houses which are
sub-standard in terms of modern ideas is large. The type of house I
have in mind is the house which originally was intended for one
family but which is now occupied by two or possibly three families.
Such houses do not possess those modern amenities which are now
generally accepted as being necessary for a happy family life. One of
the big problems to which it will be necessary to turn our attention in
the not distant future is how to provide housing accommodation for
each family unit which is in accord with modern ideas. In other words,
to effect a transformation of old and, sub-standard property into
family housing units which comply with modern standards.
A great deal is being done in Wandsworth, both by the Borough
Council and by the London County Council to provide homes for