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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1960 5
change their routine in anticipation of a mishap which may never
occur.
During the year, further progress was made in the Council's programme
for implementing the Clean Air Act, 1956. The second
Smoke Control area came into operation in September, 1960, and at
the time of writing, the third area has been confirmed while progress
is being made with the preliminary work for the next areas to be
made. Wandsworth is a large borough, both in terms of acreage and
population, and the problems we have from this cause alone are
greater than those of smaller and less populated areas. We have given
some thought as to when it will be possible to anticipate the whole of
the borough being a smoke control area. In the light of our experience
we feel that progress may be more rapid than was at one time thought
and it may not be unreasonable to hope that by 1975 and possibly
even earlier, we shall have completed the work of converting this
township of a third of a million people into a complete smoke-free
area. However, Wandsworth in relation to the vast London conurbation,
is only a small part and the true benefits to health are not
likely to be seen until most or at least a substantial part of the greater
London area is free from smoke
The preparation of an Annual Report provides a pleasant opportunity
of thanking many people for the help (often taken for granted)
which they have given to the Health Department during the year.
Thus, it is a great pleasure, once again, to thank the Chairman of the
Health Committee, Mrs. Olive Haines, and the members of the
Committee for their help and support in 1960; and also members of
other Committees of the Council who have, from time to time,
rendered assistance to the Health Department. I should also like to
thank the Chief Officers and their staffs of other departments for their
help and co-operation. Particularly do I thank my own colleagues in
the Health Department, in all categories, for their good work and
help throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
J. TUDOR LEWIS
Medical Officer of Health.