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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1963 3
one visit and serving a notice with follow-up to see how the work
is progressing. Each property presents its own separate problem in
terms of the number of families in the premises and the facilities
and amenities existing. Many properties are in different ownerships
with owners having different ideas on what they are prepared or
able to do. Sometimes it is difficult to make contact with tenants or
to gain access to the properties and evening visits may be required.
When the condition of the property has been assessed and the
owners interviewed, it is then necessary to explain what is required
and to advise how it can be done and this may in itself entail
several interviews with the owners. Although progress is being
made, this work requires constant review. A full report was made
to the Committee towards the end of the year.
The provisions of the Housing Bill, 1963, which has not yet
become law, will cover many houses let in multiple occupation and
it seems clear that these two separate, but related, pieces of legislation,
will need to be dealt with side by side. The whole problem
of houses in multiple occupation and the improvement of existing
houses as envisaged in the Housing Bill, 1963. will need careful
study and review.
The work under the Clean Air Act, 1956, continued in 1963
and during the year the General Purposes Committee of the
Council, as a matter of policy, decided that the whole area of the
Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth should be converted into a
Smoke Control area by 1970. During the year, the Council's fifth
area was confirmed and the sixth Order made by the Council has
been submitted to the Minister for approval. Preliminary work
is continuing in area No. 7 and is now nearing completion. The
plan on page 43 shows pictorially the progress achieved and
proposed.
I should like again to thank the many people who have contributed
to the work of the Health Department, particularly the
Committees and their Chairmen with whom I have been mainly
concerned. I should like especially to thank Councillor Miss Joan
Lestor, Chairman of the Public Health Committee, for her help
and guidance during the year and to express my appreciation to
the members of my own staff and the Chief Officers and staff of
other Departments of the Council.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
J. TUDOR LEWIS,
Medical Officer of Health.