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which success can never be attained.
The work of slum clearance, if that
is the correct term to use - and I very greatly
doubt that it is - still continues. Side by side,
the problem of houses in multiple occupation is
constantly under review, although this fortunately
does not present a serious problem in Friern Barnet.
I need scarcely say that housing itself plays a vital
part in any programme of public health. This applies
to all sections of the community, more especially to
young married couples and the aged. For this
reason, the building projects which have taken place
or are being contemplated in Friern Barnet, are
particularly pleasing.
The work of smoke control is proceeding
according to plan. It will be many years yet before
the whole of the Urban District can be made a smoke
controlled area, but we are working steadily towards
this aim.
Food hygiene, as always, received
considerable attention during the year. This will
be evidenced by the number of infringements which
have been brought to the notice of the Public Health
Committee. The work of ensuring the cleanliness
of our food supplies must not, however, be judged
solely on the number of infringements brought to
the notice of the Public Health Committee, or by
the number of court actions taken. The very
fact that the Public Health Inspectors constantly
visit food premises ensures a very necessary
measure of control. This is not to say that
food manufacturers or food retailers in Friern
Barnet are especially prone to infringe the law or
to indulge in wrong practices. None the less,
whether we like it or not, we know that food handlers
are sometimes apt to be careless, and that regular
visits from competent, tactful Public Health
Inspectors can do a great deal, if only by way of
advice, to raise the standard of food handling.
This practice has so far been successful in Friern
B-.rnet, and will be continued.
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