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tested and repaired. During the year under review 33 drainage systems
from private houses were wholly or partly repaired or reconstructed, 527
complaints were received concerning rodent infestation involving treatment
by the rodent operatives of 458 private houses and 70 business
premises. The total number of visits in connection with these investigations
and subsequent disinfestation amounted to 5,360.
Business Premises.
In the Borough there are some 2,350 business premises, made up of
factories, industrial undertakings, food premises—catering establishments,
shops, etc.—involving some 3,052 activities including registration and
licensing. All these premises are subject to routine inspection by the
Public Health Inspectors to ensure compliance with the provisions of the
Acts, Orders and Regulations controlling them, and for the welfare of
those who work in them. Because of staff shortages it was not possible
to maintain throughout the year a regular and systematic inspection of
all business premises. Nevertheless, 3,255 inspections were carried out,
391 notices were served and 250 new registrations and/or licences were
dealt with. Attention is drawn to the statistical section (Part II)
immediately following, which gives detailed information as to the Acts,
Orders and Regulations involved and the action taken in relation thereto.
Food and Drugs and Shops Acts Administration.
The Council is the Food and Drugs authority for the district and
the Public Health Inspectors are authorised under the Food and Drugs
Act, 1955, to procure samples of food and drugs for chemical analysis or
for bacteriological or other examination. 162 samples of a variety of
foods and drugs were submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical
analysis. In 5 instances adverse reports were received. The circumstances
relating to these samples were reported to the Public Health
Committee, and are summarised hereunder. The decision of the
Committee is given in each case.
1. Sliced Bread and Butter.
In December, 1955, a formal sample of sliced bread and butter
taken from a local cafe was found to contravene section 3 of the
Food and Drugs Act, 1938, by reason of the fat on the bread
consisting of margarine and not butter. Legal proceedings were
authorised and the proprietor fined £2, with £2 2s. Od. costs.
2. Buttered Rolls.
This sample of buttered rolls obtained from a local mobile
canteen in January, 1956, was found to constitute a contravention of
section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, in that the rolls were
spread with margarine and not butter. Legal proceedings were
authorised in this case and the proprietor fined £1.