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No apology is needed for referring again to housing—the details
are given in the Chief Public Health Inspector's report.
One satisfactory part of the problem is that many of the older
houses are being brought to a reasonable state of repair and so
removed from the Schedule of Unfit Houses. But the figures still
show that we have a considerable way to go before any real satisfaction
can be experienced with the progress of Slum Clearance. It
is to be hoped that once the de-requisitioning problem has been ended
an increased rate can be maintained. In the meantime a number of
special cases have been sympathetically dealt with, and there can be
no doubt that the number of these cases is likely to increase steadily.
Overcrowding persists in many houses and even though the figures
needed to produce statutory overcrowding are not always reached
there is frequently a degree of overcrowding which to most people
would appear definitely detrimental to health and happiness.
Work in connection with the Clean Air Act, 1956, is proceeding
steadily and will eventually prove to be of great benefit to Public
Health, however much most of us will regret the disappearance of the
open fire, no one can deny that the benefits accruing from its disappearance
will outweigh the sentimental attachment we have formed.
Food Hygiene has not been neglected and the increase in informal
samples taken, is, I think, a step to be welcomed.
In conclusion, the year has been a busy one for the Department—
and the extra work involved (particularly with regard to the Clean
Air Act) has been cheerfully and energetically undertaken by every
member of my staff, to whom my very sincere thanks are due. The
invaluable helpful co-operation of the Chief Officers and Staff of all
departments is also thankfully recorded.
C. M. Scott,
Medical Officer of Health.
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