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It thus appears that there has been in London but small increase in the number of workshops
on the registers in 1906, as compared with the number in 1905, and that the number of inspections has
decreased. This decrease is probably due to the fact that special inspection was needed in the first
instance in connection with the entry of workshops on the register, measuring up of workrooms, and
obtaining the necessary particulars for entry. The number of inspections in 1906 has averaged
something more than two inspections for each workshop, but there has been considerable difference
in this respect in the several sanitary districts. In two districts, viz., St. Marylebone and Lambeth,
the number of inspections has been considerably less than the number of workshops, a matter to which
the attention of the local authorities should be directed.
The number of total " defects " found, want of cleanliness, overcrowding, etc., shows no decrease
in 1906 upon the number in 1905. This may be due in part to the fact that the officers of the sanitary
authorities, having in great measure completed the initial work of measuring up workrooms and other
matters incidental to registration, are more able to deal with the routine work of maintaining the
premises in wholesome condition.
The need for greater efficiency in connection with the supervision of home-workers' premises led
the secretary of State to issue to local authorities, in October, 1906, a circular letter calling
attention to their powers and duties under the Factory Act, especially (a) as to the necessity of
requiring employers to keep and supply lists of out-workers, (b) as to the need of the prevention of
industrial work being carried on in dwellings under less wholesome conditions than are required by
law in workshops, and (c) as to the preparation of the tables regarding the lists of out-workers
and the number of out-workers. It would appear from the annual reports that difficulty is
still experienced by local authorities in obtaining the lists of out-workers which employers are
required to send them, and in a few reports it is stated that a circular letter is now sent to employers
shortly before the lists are required. With respect to the form in which the lists are kept, Dr.
Collingridge reports that in the City," the greatest difficulty experienced is in getting employers to
keep the list of their out-workers at their premises in the prescribed form. A recent investigation
into this question showed that out of a total of 105 firms visited only six kept the list as
required, and a number have failed to send in any list at all." So far as the annual reports show
only in one instance was there a prosecution in London for failure to keep or permit inspection of the
lists, and in only three instances was there prosecution for omission to send in the lists.
j The number of out-workers on the lists supplied by the occupiers of workshops, approximately
amounted to 28,000, and 20,800 inspections were made of their premises. In 336 instances the
premises were reported to be " unwholesome," and in 302 instances " infectious." No prosecutions
are reported in connection with either of these two classes of premises.
Inspection of Food.
The need for more complete supervision of the food supplies to London has long been evident.
In a report presented to the Public Health Committee in the beginning of 1907 it was stated
(see Appendix IV.) that the total bulk of foodstuffs reaching London annually is approximately
some 2½ or 3 million tons, of which about three-fifths are consumed in London, the remaining
two-fifths merely passing through London in the course of transit. Of the total, about one million tons
consists of meat, fish, milk, butter, lard and eggs, about half a million tons consists of fruit and
vegetables (including preserved fruit and sugar), and about one million four hundred thousand tons
consists of grain and flour (estimated as grain). Of this total about two-thirds arrive by water and
one-third arrives by rail. Of the first class of foodstuffs (meat, fish, etc.) about equal proportions are
conveyed by water and rail, while of the second class (fruit, vegetables, etc.) about seventy per cent,
arrives by water and about thirty per cent, by rail; and again, about twice as much meat arrives by
water as that which arrives by rail, while conversely about twice as much fish arrives by rail as that
which arrives by water.
It needs to be remembered that supplies of the first class of foodstuff are frequently never taken
into any market where there is opportunity for inspection, but go directly into cold storage, or directly
to retail dealers. Hence in the absence of any organised system of supervision a wide door is opened to
the dishonest dealer who wishes to dispose of unwholesome food in London.
The subject of food inspection was under the consideration of the Public Health Committee
during the year and the following report was presented in July to the Council. On the reception of the
report the Council resolved to proceed to the next business and the motion therefore was " dropped."
"The Council has long been cognisant of the need for improved administration in London for the purposes of
inspection of food entering London. Under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the medical officers of health and
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