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any radical improvements could be effected and representations were made to the Ministry
of Health with a view to securing authority to deal with this branch of food hygiene.
After due consideration of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on
Meat Inspection, the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924, made under the Public Health
(Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, were published. They contain provisions relating to
slaughtering, slaughterhouses, meat marking, stalls, shops, and stores, transport and handling,
and became operative on 1st April, 1925.
Before the Regulations became operative I was instructed by the Sanitary Committee
to report upon the various ways in which the City would be affected, and whether any changes
would be necessary in view of the additional responsibilities which would be placed upon the
Corporation as the Authority charged with their administration.
A detailed report on these matters, and under the several headings dealt with in the
Regulations, was presented on 24th March, 1925, and, subsequently, approved. (Monthly
Report No. 275.)
In view of the special conditions prevailing in the City, together with the fact that meat
transport may be going on in one or more of the areas used for meat traffic at any time during
the day or night, it was deemed advisable to appoint an inspector to supervise this work.
Instructions were given by the Sanitary Committee to advertise the Regulations to all
persons concerned and the following steps were accordingly taken:—
(a) Conferences were held with representatives of—
The London Central Markets Association.
The London Cartage and Haulage Contractors' Association.
The Carcase Butchers' Association.
The Railway Clearing House.
Meat Porters, and
Other wholesale and retail trade organizations.
At these interviews the Regulations were discussed, and, where necessary, explained,
in so far as they applied to the various interests concerned. A gratifying willingness to assist
in the administration was shown by all, and the result was that, where changes were necessary,
a certain degree of uniformity was secured which would otherwise have been almost
impossible of attainment by the date of commencement, and disorganization of arrangements
which had existed hitherto was reduced to a minimum.
(b) Copies of Part VI. of the Regulations, relating to transport and handling
of meat, were sent by post to 1,356 licensed meat porters, special attention being
drawn to the clause which requires every person who carries meat while so occupied
to wear a clean and washable overall and head covering, and to the need for taking
reasonably necessary precautions to protect meat from contamination.
(c) Copies of Part VI. of the Regulations were sent by post to 66 firms of
meat carriers.
(d) Copies of Parts V. and VI. of the Regulations, relating to meat shops and
stores and to transport and handling were sent to 108 City meat traders.
(e) Poster copies of Part VI. of the Regulations were printed and displayed,
in prominent positions, at Smithfield Market.
(f) Poster copies of Part VI. of the Regulations were printed in Yiddish and
displayed at Aldgate Market for the information of Jewish butchers, and others
who frequent that market. The occupiers of the wholesale shops assisted in this
matter by permitting the posters to be displayed on their premises, there being no
convenient positions in the public thoroughfare for this purpose.
(g) In addition to the foregoing, 301 letters drawing attention to specific
infringements were sent to persons or firms concerned, and 69 copies of the Regulations
were forwarded to other persons whose names had not been included in the
lists above-mentioned.
Owing to some misapprehension having arisen as to the scope of the Regulations, in
certain respects, the Ministry of Health issued an explanatory circular (No. 604) on 12th
June, 1925.
The two most important matters dealt with, were the definition of meat, and the application
of the requirements to shops and stalls.
The word meat, according to this memorandum, is intended to apply to the raw and
untreated edible parts of the carcases of slaughtered cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, and not