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however, observations over a number of years will be necessary
before we can reach any useful conclusions. 166 observations
were made by the Sanitary Inspectors during the year.
The London and Home Counties Smoke Abatement Advisory
Council which is a voluntary association representing all local
authorities in London and the Home Counties, was constituted
in 1939 under the authority of the Ministry of Health. Its main
function is to deal with the problem of reducing smoke in the
area and I am pleased to say that the Chairman of the Public
Health Committee and the Chief Sanitary Inspector are both
members of this Council and also occupy two of the three seats
allocated to Kent on the Executive Committee.
Councillor S. J. L. Murray-White and the Chief Sanitary
Inspector also represent the Council on the Standing Conference
of Local Authorities which co-operates with the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research. This Department deals, on a
national and inter-national basis, with the investigation of
atmospheric pollution.
Shops Act.
The survey referred to in my last report continued throughout
the year. The fullest co-operation of the shop-keepers has
been received, making it quite unnecessary to institute statutory
action with regard to the various requirements of the Act.
A summary of the work in 1950 shows :
Inspections 282
Absence of Statutory Forms 65
Inadequate Sanitary Accommodation 4
Inadequate Heating Arrangements 2
The Shops Act, 1950, came into force on the 1st October,
1950, and consolidates all previous enactments.
Verminous Conditions and Uncieanliness.
The continued low incidence of verminous conditions and
uncieanliness is a source of gratification, particularly taking into
consideration the housing shortage and the consequent overcrowded
conditions in which so many families are living. It is
surely a measure of our success in educating the public in the
principles of cleanliness, that conditions fostered by dirt have
declined to such an extent as to be almost negligible. It would
probably be true to say that in the majority of cases of uncieanliness,
the condition has arisen as a result of old age or illness
and not to neglect of the elementary principles of hygiene in