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local government act, 1929.
transfer or delegation of powers.
As a result of a joint application made to the Minister of Health under Section 64,
Local Government Act, 1929, by the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs
Standing Joint Committee, a draft order has been issued authorising the transfer or delegation
from the County Council to the City Corporation and Borough Councils of such powers
as the Minister might think fit within the limits of certain principles. This draft order has
little practical effect on the Department of the Medical Officer of Health for the City. The
public health services to which it relates are the following:—
(1) Common Lodging Houses and Seamen's Lodging Houses.
(2) Cow Houses.
(3) Knackers' Yards.
(4) Slaughter Houses.
(5) Offensive Trades.
(6) Smoke Nuisances.
(7) Maternity and Child Welfare.
(8) Infant Life Protection.
(9) Maternity and Nursing Homes.
(10) Supervision of Midwives and
(11) Medical Inspection of School Children.
The control of the foregoing, with the exception of the Supervision of Midwives and
Medical Inspection of School Children, is already the responsibility of the City Corporation.
With regard to the Supervision of Midwives, there are very few such practising in the
City of London, but if powers of control are to be exerciseable by the Metropolitan Boroughs
in their areas, there does not appear to be any reason why such powers should not be exercised
in the City by the Corporation.
In regard to the delegation of Inspection of School Children, I am of opinion that this
is work in which centralisation would appear to be essential, and not one where delegation
would result in increased efficiency or economy.
CONGRESSES.
Royal Sanitary Institute, Brighton, 9th July to loth July, 1932 ; Royal Institute of
Public Health, Belfast, 9th to 14th May, 1932 ; Sanitary Inspectors' Association, Colwyn
Bay, 5th to 10th September, 1932 ; Public Health Congress, London, 14th to 19th November,
1932 ; Central Council for Health Education, London, 17th November, 1932 ; National
Association for Prevention of Tuberculosis, London, 21st to 23rd July, 1932 ; National
Association for Prevention of Infant Mortality, London, 4th to 6th July, 1932.
The Congresses organised by the above-mentioned Institutes and Associations were
attended by representatives of the City Corporation, and evidence of the utility of attendance
was amply afforded.
Current thought was developed and intelligent anticipation of the lines on which public
health will advance was given free opportunity for expression. Curtailment of these opportunities
for intimate discussion of the details of public health work is much to be deprecated.
SMOKE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Nineteen complaints of smoke nuisance or annoyance from chimneys were dealt with
during the year, and in connection with these 166 observations were made. Many of the
offences were of a temporary character and did not recur. There has been no occasion to
take further action.
A critical examination of the air in the City was commenced in the year 1914, in conjunction
with the Committee for the Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution, appointed by
the International Exhibition and Conference in London, 1912. A large rain gauge is mounted
upon the roof of one of the Corporation's buildings in Golden Lane, and the rain-water from
a known area of surface is collected monthly. This rain-water, containing the soot, grit, and
dust washed from the air, has been submitted for examination to the Public Analyst and the
results tabulated. For comparison the results obtained from similar observations made at
the Meteorological Office, South Kensington, on the west, and Victoria Park, on the east
of the rain gauge at Golden Lane, are shown in the attached table.