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The Inquiry was-held at the Guildhall on the 24th April and 18th May.
In the course of his evidence your Medical Officer stated that food and
tinned meat (other than fresh meat which was not then under consideration)
is received in the City at twenty-eight wharves and warehouses, situated in
three districts, which are periodically visited by the Sanitary Inspectors of the
City specially charged with the duty.
The work was further facilitated by intercommunication between the
Medical Officers of Health of the City and Port, and by information as to
arrivals from Customs Bills A and B, information collected in the daily
routine of seven other Sanitary Inspectors, and the co-operation of merchants,
wharfingers, and traders generally in carrying out the provisions of the Public
Health Act, 1891, and the City of London Sewers Acts.
That in cases of emergency, such as an exceptionally large consignment of
unsound food having to be dealt with, the services of the above mentioned
officers were available.
The Medical Officer of Health was also consulted as to the probability of
any benefit accruing to the public health by instituting changes in the regime
now obtaining.
The Local Government Board subsequently communicated with the
Manager of the London and India Docks Company, who were the originators
of the movement in favour of such transfer of the Authority, and also to the
Port Sanitary Authority, stating that the Board had carefully considered the
Inspector's Report and the evidence placed before him at the Inquiry. They
had also taken into consideration the proceedings in Parliament during the
past Session with reference to the proposals in the Port of London Bill ; and
they had decided, having regard to all the circumstances, not to accede to the
application at the present time.
The Board, however, communicated with the Councils of certain
Metropolitan Boroughs with regard to the examination of food-stuffs landed at
wharves abutting on the River Thames.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS, 1875-1899.
The number of samples submitted to your Public Analyst for examination
during the year was 1,179; of these, 1,081 were found to be genuine, the
remainder, 98, or 8.31 per cent., being certified as adulterated.
The figures for 1903 and the two preceding years were as follows:—
Year. 1901. 1902. 1903.
Number of samples taken 854 1,248 1,179
Number of samples genuine 742 1,138 1,081
Number of samples adulterated 112 110 98
Percentage of adulteration 13.11 88 8.31