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83
VOLUNTARY SANITARY CERTIFICATES FOR KITCHENS OF
RESTAURANTS AND ABOVEGROUND BAKEHOUSES.
The following Report was presented by your Medical Officer of
Health to the Sanitary Committee on the 27th October, 1903:—
"The question of granting Certificates as to the sanitary condition of
"premises is by no means new.
"The practice has existed for many years in some districts, more especially
"in seaside resorts, where the possession of such 'hall mark' is naturally
"considered of definite value by the owner.
"The matter was brought forward by me in June last in consequence of
"repeated representations by owners and occupiers who, having been called
"upon to carry out repairs, improvements, &c., felt strongly that as some
"recompense for the outlay they had made they should be in a position to
"exhibit a Certificate that their premises were then in a satisfactory sanitary
"condition.
"The general principle was then agreed to by your Worshipful Committee,
"and referred back to your Medical Officer of Health to report as to details of
"standards, &c.
"What I now suggest is that in order to meet an expressed want, all
"owners of Kitchens and Aboveground Bakehouses be informed that a
"standard of requirements has been drawn up by the Corporation, and that
"upon complying with such, a Certificate would be granted to the effect that
"the Kitchen or Aboveground Bakehouse had been inspected and found in a
"satisfactory condition.
"These inspections could be repeated from time to time, and fresh
"Certificates issued.
"From the Authority's point of view there are many advantages in
"adopting such a course. Owners would be more willing to carry out require"ments
and suggestions of the Authority, with the result that great benefit
"would accrue to the public from the consequent raising of the standard of
"sanitation.
"Further, a precedent for issuing Certificates that premises are in a sanitary
"condition is furnished by the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, when
"the owners of property wholly let in tenements at rents not exceeding a
"certain amount are exempted from paying Inhabited House Duty on such