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Inefficient and disinterested catering staff constitute a stumbling block which prevents a
quick and substantial improvement in the general standard of food hygiene. In order to assist the
rank and file of catering workers an illustrated booklet was prepared under the editorship of the
Medical Officer of Health during the year and widely distributed in the catering industry throughout
the City. This booklet was written in conjunction with the Food Hygiene Division of the
Ministry of Health and with the assistance of some members of the catering industry. It is in the
form of question and answer and the subject matter and language has been kept as simple and
straightforward as possible in an effort to convey basic and important principles to a class of
individuals who are not normally given to deep thinking or extensive reading. It is hoped that
this booklet, which has been entitled "Clean Food Handling" will assist the catering worker in
taking a greater interest in his or her job and will induce these workers to appreciate the importance
of the most ordinary and routine duties and help them to understand the necessity of ensuring
a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene at all times. "At all times" is the operative
phrase. In the stresses of the lunch time rush, all too frequently everything is sacrificed to
the inexorable necessity of serving lunches on time.
During the year under review legal proceedings were instituted in one case only. This
referred to the heavy infestation by cockroaches of a service counter in a small snack bar. The
Proprietor was fined £50 and ordered to pay two guineas costs whilst the Manager was fined £5
and also ordered to pay two guineas costs. Subsequent investigation indicated that effective
measures had been taken to deal with the infestation.
We would like to express our appreciation of the co-operation which has been forthcoming
from the other departments of the City Corporation, particularly those of the City Engineer and
the City Planning Officer in informing all prospective caterers of the advisability of contacting
us before opening new restaurants or cafes.
HOUSING
The Housing Act, 1957 repeals and re-enacts in consolidated form the provisions of the
earlier Housing Acts with the exception of financial provisions.
Sec. 191 of the Act constitutes a comprehensive saving provision which secures continuity
of action by enacting, inter alia, that anything done under a repealed enactment shall have effect
as if done under the corresponding provisions of the new Act and that documents referring to a
repealed enactment shall be construed as referring to the corresponding provision of the new Act.
Housing Consolidation Regulations, 1925, No. 866, Part IV. Inspection of District
1. Number of houses which on inspection were considered to be unfit for human habitation
Five
2. Number of houses in which the defects were remedied in consequence of informal action
by the Local Authority or their Officers
Four
3. Number of representations made to the Local Authority with a view to (a) the serving of
notices requiring the execution of works or (b) the making of demolition or closing
orders
(a) None
(b) None
4. Number of notices served during the execution of works
None
5. Number of houses which were rendered fit after service of formal notices
One
6. Number of demolition or closing orders made
None
7. Number of houses in respect of which an undertaking was accepted under subsection (4)
of section 16 of the Housing Act, 1957
None
8. Number of houses demolished
None
During the year 48 families were rehoused leaving 499 families for whom accommodation was
required at the end of December 1959. No new housing accommodation was provided during the
year.
The modernisation of Kings Flats, Artizans Dwellings, has been completed and work will
shortly be commenced on the modernisation of North Flats, Artizans Dwellings, to be followed by
further work at Windsor House, Shoreditch and on other pre-war estates.
The old people's accommodation at Isleden House continues to be of great interest to people
in this country and from overseas who are concerned with the housing and welfare of the elderly.
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