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20
C.— PREMISES THAT ARE NOT BUT SHOULD BE REGISTERED.
For a variety of reasons the number of premises in the borough in which
meals are provided or food is sold ready cooked or is prepared for sale is very
large. At the end of 1924 there were 240, this number including : Restaurant,
dining room and coffee shop kitchens, 176; tea-rooms and pastry-cooks, 44; hotel
kitchens, 20; fried fish shops, 24; and fish-curers, 5. In addition, there were a
number of shops in which meat, ham, sausages, etc., were cooked and sold only
over the counter.
On more than one occasion the Borough Council, at the suggestion of the
Public Health Committee, have directed the attention of the Ministry of Health
and the London County Council to the necessity for legislation requiring registration
of food premises of this class. Up to the present no step in this direction
has been taken by either of the authorities mentioned.
The routine practice of visiting a number of restaurants, etc., each week was
continued by the Food Inspector, and any matters discovered dealt with at once.
In 1924 the total number of inspections was 1,256, the number of notices served
being 31.
Food Stalls.—Of these there are considerable numbers in the market streets,
particularly Great Titchfield Street, Bell Street, Church Street, Blandford Street,
etc.
Definite arrangements are made for the keeping of such as are used for the
sale of food under close observation. Throughout 1924 visits were paid to all the
market streets every day, a special feature being made of Saturday night and
Sunday morning inspections.
FOOD.
A. Milk Supply.
Analysis of Milk.—The total number of samples taken either formally and in
accordance with the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, or informally
as " test " samples, was 313. On examination by the Public Analyst 8 (2.2 per
cent.) were found to be adulterated. In 1923 the percentage was 2.1. Further
reference to the question of milk examinations is made in the report of the Public
Analyst, which will be found elsewhere.
Proceedings.—During the year proceedings were instituted in four cases and
fines and costs amounting to £41 and £9 9s. respectively imposed.
A considerable number of samples were taken on Saturday nights and Sunday
mornings, and in all 85 were obtained on delivery at Marylebone Station of the
London & North Eastern Railway. Of the 85, five proved to be adulterated, and
proceedings were instituted in three cases and fines and costs amounting to £41
and £7 7s. respectively imposed.