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If the sickness figures for the population of this country and the picture painted by Seebohm of
the social problems are correct, then I am appalled Parliament is content merely to treat and
pander to symptoms, as Seebohm proposes, instead of making an immediate and determined effort
to find the causes of our troubles and to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
It is a great reflection on our national intelligence that even when we know how to prevent
disease we do not take prompt and adequate steps to deal with it. May I quote one example which
refers to this Borough and which will have a long term effect on your future welfare provision
possibly for the next 60 or 70 years.
The Ministry of Technology is conducting a National Survey of Smoke and Sulphur dioxide in
the atmosphere. In a report recently distributed throughout the country on a pilot study of Southeast
London and South-east England, London Borough of Bexley has the unenviable distinction of
being singled out as "an area that needs the most urgent action", and the report urges that the
Borough be brought under smoke control as soon as possible.
Some members will recall that one of my first tasks after taking up duty as your Medical
Officer of Health was to issue a report on 8th July 1965 pointing out the dangers of atmospheric
pollution, the negligible action that had so far been taken — indeed, I pointed out that at the rate
of progress made up to July 1965 by the previous Authorities it would take another 60 years at
least to get a smoke controlled borough — and I urged action to speed the completion of this programme
in not more than 10 years. (See Appendix A, pages 111—119.)
You will be wondering why I mention smoke control measures in conneciton with Seebohm and
social services. The reason is simple. Atmospheric pollution causes chronic bronchitis and aggravates
other chest complaints. Chronic bronchitis can occur at any age but its main effects are felt
after 30 years of age, and continue during a man's working life which can be shortened or seriously
interfered with by long absences due to illness, both of which mean impaired earning capacity and
social problems.
Many sufferers have to give up work long before they are 60 and become cases for the social
services. Others are unable to look after themselves adequately and enter Old People's Homes
earlier than the average. The cost to the community of this type of handicap over a man's life is
enormous and yet even though we know the answer to the problem little or nothing has been done
about it.
It is impossible to calculate what the lack of interest and effort by the previous authorities in
respect of atmospheric pollution will ultimately cost you in the provision of welfare services in the
future, but it will be a colossal sum and you can do nothing now to avoid that cost. Many people
walking the streets of Bexley today will have already been affected and if the Borough became
smoke-free tomorrow they will at a later date, still become victims from the damage already done
and they will become chronically handicapped and need social support, and possibly admission to
hospital or an Old Person's Home. Today, new-born babies and children arecontinuously exposed
to the dangers of atmospheric pollution and of these some are certain to succumb in later life to
the effects of atmospheric pollution which they have to breathe today.
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