View report page

91
the W.C." have been distributed by me to Hospitals and Catering
Establishments in the Borough, to be fixed on the inner side of
water closet doors and in urinals. I consider that these plaques
(or similar advice) should be displayed in the Council's public
conveniences, which are widely used by food handlers of all kinds ;
but the reason for giving such advice is liable to misrepresentation
in premises where charges are made for the use of both water closets
and wash-hand basins. The person who has been charged a penny
for the use of a water closet in a public convenience is not likely
to be well disposed towards a Sanitary Authority that advises him
to wash his hands in the public interest and then charges him
twopence for the privilege for doing so.
It has been truly stated that
" Man (homo sapiens) is the only animal that deliberately
runs the risk of soiling or contaminating his hands (or forepaws)
as the terminal act of defaecation, and then uses these
same hands for all sorts of purposes affecting others of his kind
(e.g. shaking hands, fingering coins and paper money, preparing
food, etc.)."
Law and custom compel him to wear clothes which he keeps
clean at the risk of soiling his hands. If the officers of the Sanitary
Authority advise him to wash his hands for the protection of others,
he should not be charged for complying with the advice given.
After consideration of that report the Council decided
(1) That no charge be made for the use of water closets
or wash-hand basins in the Council's public conveniences ;
(2) That free paper towels be provided for the latter
purpose ; and
(3) That linen towels continue to be provided at the
existing charge of threepence per towel, when required."
During the year 1953, 14,078 linen towels and 18,757 paper
towels were issued.
Inspection of business premises other than food premises.
(i) Summary of inspections by Sanitary Inspectors.
The following inspections were carried out during the year in
relation to the under-mentioned business premises having regard to
the requirements of the Public Health Act, 1936 ; the Shops Act,
1950 ; the Factories Act, 1937 ; the Pet Animals Act, 1951 ; the