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APPENDIX C
VENEREAL DISEASE
The Council's powers—The Council's present work in this field was first undertaken
during the last war, when a Defence Regulation (33B) provided for the compulsory treatment
of venereal disease in certain circumstances. The Regulation was repealed with
effect from the end of 1947 and since then no statutory power has existed whereby sufferers
from infectious venereal disease can be compelled to undergo treatment. A Private Member's
Bill introduced in the House of Commons sought to restore the provisions formerly
contained in Defence Regulation (33B), but the Second Reading, due in October 1962, did
not take place.
As a local health authority the Council has permissive powers, under section 28 (1) of
the National Health Service Act, 1946, to make arrangements for the prevention of illness
and the care of persons suffering from illness. Within the scope of these arrangements
and with the consent of the Ministry of Health the Council co-operates, when requested
to do so, with the work of venereal disease treatment centres situated within the county.
In addition, the Council increasingly is drawing attention to venereal disease in its health
education programmes.
The extent of the problem—Venereal disease is not a notifiable disease but the growing
extent of the problem in London is illustrated in table (i). The figures show the numbers
of new cases treated in London out-patient clinics where, on average, 83 per cent, of the
patients are resident within the county. The slight drop in the figures for 1962 is encouraging
but its significance cannot be assessed until information for 1963 indicates whether or
not the improvement has been maintained.

For 1962, and with the co-operation of the London out-patient clinics, most of the new
cases were further classified into age groups and an analysis by birthplace was made.
This additional information is set out in table (ii).
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