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8
Atmospheric pollution, particularly in the western area of the
borough, was constantly under review. Abnormal weather conditions
in December emphasised by a marked increase in deaths
the persistent threat to health from this theoretically preventable
cause. Remembering that 50 per cent. of smoke pollution comes
from domestic fires, it is a fair analogy to regard our present
problem of smoke pollution as comparable with that of polluted
water which confronted authorities 100 years ago. The complete
solution probably implies a change of national habits and a
capital investment programme equalling the sums expended in
the past on drainage systems and sewage disposal schemes.
Meanwhile the efforts of the department have necessarily to be
limited to the strict application of existing powers and to advocating
wherever possible the domestic employment of smokeless
fuels. The example of other areas regarding smokeless zones
has not been overlooked, nor the importance of urging the
Corporation and other public bodies to replace smoke producing
appliances used in their own buildings.
The Minister of Health requested local health authorities to
obtain and forward early in the year as part of the annual report
of their medical officer of health a review of their services under
the National Health Service Act. The information so provided
is now presented in the form suggested by the Minister.
SURVEY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE
CORPORATION UNDER PART III OF THE NATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICE ACT, 1946.
Administration
1.—(a) Executive. The Health Committee with 18 Council
and 4 Co-opted Members has retained 3 sub-committees. One
dealing mainly with duties under the Public Health Act, 1936,
and allied matters, one with personal health services under the
National Health Service Act, and the third with the Ambulance
Service.
The Mental Welfare Sub-Committee business proved
relatively small, and since 1951, such items have been considered
by the main Committee.
(6) Administrative. Removal to new premises permitted a
considerable degree of centralisation of all sections, including
School Health, in a single building. This greatly increased the
ease of co-operation between individual officers dealing with
related problems.