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irreducible minimum, and without some help no leave would be possible, which is
most essential if men are to be maintained in a state of efficiency when working at high
pressure over long periods. In the advertisement notifying these vacancies, an age
minimum of 38 years was made, i.e., the maximum for military service, or if under
that age then a cause of unfitness for military duties required to be submitted.
Workshops.—In the early stages of the war there was some dislocation of trade,
and it was anticipated that there would be a certain amount of distress. In this latter
connection your Lady Inspectors carried out investigation work for the Prince of Wales'
Fund, and brought to the notice of such Committees as that of the Sailors' and Soldiers'
Families' Association, cases which would appear to require assistance.
Considerable alteration was noticed later in certain trades. Many premises were
rapidly adapted so as to enable Government Work to be undertaken, and instead of
slackness there was extraordinary activity. In offices and in certain trades it was
found that women had replaced men, or at any rate there was an increased number of
women employed.
Additional inspections were required by the changes; in some instances, to avoid
overcrowding, and in others to ensure that adequate sanitary provision was made for the
alterations in the Staff.
The Home Office supplied me with a list of outworkers engaged on Army
Contracts. Such places were placed on the list for more frequent inspections than
would have been the case in normal times, and visits were made to houses where home
work was being carried out.
Food Supplies.—At intervals the Local Government Board has forwarded lists
of firms who are engaged in supplying meat and food products to the Army. These
places have all been subjected to weekly inspection and special supervision. The
foods chiefly coming under observation were butter, cheese, bacon, hams, meat,
prepared foods and the like.
Refugees.—The Manchester Hotel, Aldersgate Street, was examined with a view
to ascertaining its suitability for housing Belgian Refugees, and at a later date a
Committee was formed which undertook the organisation and administration of the
Hotel for this particular purpose. Some 500-600 beds were available. I believe my
Department was able to offer many suggestions in the arranging of this building, and
since it has been in actual use, various members of the Staff have been of service in
giving advice of a special character, e.g., in respect of the control of infectious and
contagious diseases, and of the allocation of work rooms and staff rooms. Help has been
given in the disinfection of the clothing of inmates when first brought to the
Institution, or who developed some infectious disease during the time they were resident
there. Practically every patient is now fully protected against Small-pox, as those
who did not show vaccination marks have been submitted to the operation of vaccination.
Other refugees have been housed at the Salisbury Hotel. These did not come
within the scope of regular enquiries; they have, however, at times been the subject of
special enquiries.
Red Cross Work.—Your Medical Officer of Health at the request of the Red
Cross Committee gave assistance in designing, equipping, and staffing the hospital for
the treatment of Officers which has been established at the Fishmongers' Hall, and
since the opening has acted as Honorary Medical Administrator; his later duties being
limited to those of advising in cases of medical administrative difficulties.