View report page

to provide a temporary Sanitary Inspector in place of the one seconded.
The following were the main developments during the year:-
FOOD.
The Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
This Act came into force on the first day of October, 1939, and
two classes of Authorities - the 'Local Authority' and the 'Food and
Drugs Authority' - are concerned in working the provisions of the Act.
Prior to this Act coming into force the administration of the
earlier Food and Drugs Acts, in Hendon, was undertaken by the Middlesex
County Council, but under the new Act the Minister of Health had
authority to confer such power upon any non-county borough which had a
population at the last census of "between 20,000 and 40,000.
Hendon Council decided to apply to the Minister for such power
and although application was made the administration of that part
of the Act concerning the 'Food and Drugs Authority' remains with the
County Council.
The result is that Hendon now administers that part of the Act
designed for the 'Local Authority' which deals principally with unsound
food, precautions against contamination of food, food poisoning,
provision as to milk and dairies, other kinds of foods, markets,
slaughterhouses and cold-air stores.
SLAUGHTERHOUSES.
The Food and Drugs Act prescribes that from the 1st October, 1939,
all slaughterhouses shall be licensed by the Local Authority where such
are suitable for the purpose.
Before this there were five registered and three licensed premises
in the district, the latter only being subject to annual licensing.
It is understood that the intention of three occupiers is not to
apply for licensing or renewal of licensing of their premises.
ARMY BILLETING.
Close contact was maintained between the Military Authorities and
the Public Health Department during a period of billeting in privately
occupied dwelling houses in Mill Hill and Edgware. Disinfection of
sleeping quarters, bedding, clothing and equipment was done after cases
of illness, especially chicken-pox; and disinfestation after verminous
complaints.
5.