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excessive consumption of starch and previously of infrequent occurrence,
have been much more common during the last few years.
I think that a reasonable answer to the whole question is that the
country's food supply is sufficient in quantity, but deficient in quality.
Above all, people are individuals and have individual needs:
stomachs cannot be standardised or nationalised. It is perfectly
true that one man's meat is another man's poison and we cannot really
hope for any arrest of the present unsatisfactory conditions until there
is a larger supply of essential foods and a greater variety of foods to
meet individual needs.
The physical condition of the school children suggests that, by
the assistance of extra milk and school dinners, their needs are catered
for adequately. Those people who take a proportion of their major
meals at restaurants, etc., receive benefits denied to others. Once
more it is clear that those who suffer most from existing conditions
are the mothers and housewives.
Infectious Disease.
With the exception of the outbreak of Infantile Paralysis in the
summer months, the incidence of Infectious Disease was low.
Repair of Premises.
Every effort has been made throughout the year to remedy the
many unhealthy conditions in dwelling houses in the Borough—
conditions partly due to War Damage and partly to progressive
dilapidation. Many of the problems with which Local Authorities
and property owners are confronted produce a sense of frustration.
Still, in spite of the restriction of materials, licence difficulties and,
in the earlier part of the year, adverse weather conditions, a great
deal has been done to recondition and render properly habitable many
of our dwelling-houses. There still remains a large number which
are urgently in need of attention. Action has been taken during the
year under Sections 9., 11 and 12 of the Housing Act, 1936, as well as
under the general provisions of the Public Health Acts. There can
be no doubt that action under the Housing Act, 1936 produces far
better results than action under the Nuisance Sections of the Public
Health Act, 1936. The administrative work entailed in the former
is considerably greater and regard has to be paid to the requirements
of the Ministry respecting the restriction of building works and the
issue of licences. Under existing conditions the problem seems to be
insoluble: on the one hand it will be years before enough new houses
are built to meet the needs of the people: on the other hand, the
diversion of materials and labour to the erection of new houses
results in the progressive and disastrous dilapidation of many others.
The instructions given in the Ministry of Health's Circular
LRL 6/47 relating to the control of civil building licences placed much
additional work upon the Sanitary Inspectors. Broadly speaking,
it has meant that licences for all work involving the labour of a bricklayer
or a plasterer could only be issued in cases approved by this
Department.
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