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30
Ice Cream Vendors.—For some years past I have reported
on the advisability of compulsory registration of ice cream
vendors.
It is satisfactory to note that the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1928, contains provisions for this compulsory
registration.
Schools.—The sanitary condition and water supply of the
Schools is a matter which requires very little attention from
the Public Health Department. The supervision of the
schools is in the hands of the London County Council, but
combined action has been taken when and where required,
with a view to preventing the spread of infectious disease.
An arrangement exists whereby cases of Measles, Whooping
Cough and Chicken Pox are notified by the Head Teacher to
the Medical Officer of Health, at the same time as they inform
the Divisional Superintendent.
These cases are followed up, and the premises are
inspected with a view to any insanitary conditions being
remedied. This form of co-ordination is carried out as far
as possible under the present conditions. There is little or no
contact between the School Medical Officers and the Medical
Officers of Health of the Metropolitan Boroughs. The latter's
knowledge of the health of the school children depends entirely
upon the information he obtains from the School Medical
Officers.
HOUSING.
The housing problem is one that shows very little, if any,
improvement, the congested areas of the Borough remaining
as overcrowded as reported a year ago.
During the year 523 houses have been erected by the County
Council and private enterprise and approximately 200 are
in course of erection and nearing completion.
In spite of this, however, it has not made any appreciable
difference to the overcrowding of the Borough. Unfortunately,
only a small percentage of the houses erected by the
County Council have been allotted to local residents.
It has been said that the housing schemes of the County
Council have supplied sufficient accommodation for all the
needs of London and that there is in fact something like 600
or 700 houses empty on one of the County Council Estates.
It is perfectly true that a large number of houses have
been erected but it does not help the local situation to erect
houses at points where they are inaccessible for the local
workers.
Some families have made the attempt to reside at Becontree,
but have found it impossible owing to the cost of and
the time taken up in travelling.
Another difficulty is that the rents in many cases make it
prohibitive for the average working man with a wage varying
from 50s. to 60s. per week.