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The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 which consolidate and amend the Food
Hygiene (General) Regulations 1960 and 1962 were made in August 1970 and they come
into operation on 1st March, 1971.
During the year it was found that 145 catering establishments employed some staff
of non United Kingdom origin; some employees in fact had no knowledge of English.
Those of European origin or Near East origin are sporadically distributed and in many
cases are employed in family businesses where relatives speak English fluently and
they present no problem.
The main communication problem is with the Chinese employees. These form a
close-knit group which shows little inclination to integrate with the local population.
None of the 90 Chinese found was employed other than in one of the 26 Chinese
restaurants in the Borough all of which were wholly staffed by Chinese. Of these 90
persons it is estimated that 80% were incapable of taking part in a colloquial conversation.
There are numerous dialects in Chinese and any attempt at instruction verbally, even
with the aid of an interpreter, would be of little or no value. There is however a prospect
that the written word in basic Chinese characters may be understood by most groups, and
with the aid of a fluent English speaking Chinese gentleman it is hoped to draft a simple
Code of Hygiene.
With respect to other Asians, most Indians or Pakistanis are employed in Indian
restaurants, but there is not the same exclusiveness about them as the Chinese and with
patience a workable understanding is achieved.
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At the request of the Department of Health and Social Security, a list of food premises
grouped in categories of trade is set down below containing particulars of the premises
provided with wash hand basins and an adequate supply of hot and cold water, soap and
towels (Regulation 16) and those provided with sinks, hot and cold water, soap, clean
clothes or other cleaning and drying facilities (Regulation 19).