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13
local housing authority to make provision in advance for the re-housing of
families to be displaced. This failure has generally been attributed to a
state of affairs known locally as " the present acute shortage of houses in
Leyton " ; but as there is evidence that the shortage has been in existence
since 1920—a period of 34 years—it can no longer be regarded as " acute
or even as " sub-acute It should therefore be recognised as a " chronic "
disability which cannot be expected to respond to palliative treatment and
requires a radical major operation.
On pages 32 to 34 I submit a brief historical survey of Leyton's progress
in slum clearance and housing development since the end of the first world
war ; and on pages 34 to 41 there is a comprehensive joint report by the
Chief Sanitary Inspector and me on future housing development. This
latter report is one in the preparation of which we devoted much time and
thought, and it is hoped that it will be found useful by those responsible
for deciding the policy to be pursued by the Council in respect of the procedure
outiined in the new Housing Repairs and Rents Act and other Government
Circulars issued during the year.
Clean Food.
During 1953 (the last year for which complete records are available)
the number of recorded cases of food poisoning in the country was 50 per
cent, higher than in the previous year. In addition, food poisoning is
responsible for a substantial amount of sickness and loss of working time
which is never recorded. The remedy is largely in the hands of those who
prepare, cook and serve food ; for there are still far too many caterers and
food handlers who combine deplorable standards of hygiene with an attitude
of indifference to the needs of the public they claim to serve.
During reccr.t years the three responsible Government Departments
(the Ministries of Health, of Education and of Food) have been actively
engaged in a Clean Food Campaign, in pursuit of which they have been
enlisting the help of the Medical Officer of Health and his Sanitary staff
to ensure not only that official inspection of catering establishments is fully
and effectively carried out, but also that the necessary measures are taken to
prevent the risk of food poisoning.
In order that the responsible health officers may be able to educate dirty
food handlers by setting them a good example it is hoped that the Council
will lend official encouragement by adopting in their municipal catering
arrangements the methods and appliances advocated by their officers to
outside caterers.
Extracts from special reports submitted during the year are to be found
on pages 48 to 51 and on pages 151 to 153.
Sanitary Circumstances.
Since his appointment two years ago, Mr. Ashcroft (Chief Sanitary
Inspector) has been able to effect substantial re-organisation of the work of
the department for which he is responsible—and that in face of very serious
depletion of the staff during the year under review. Given the necessary
staff and support, his valuable knowledge and experience in all aspects of
housing should be of great value to the Council in the planning and execution
of its scheme of future housing development in the Borough.