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delivered which was pasteurised being 89.13%. A review was
made in January,1947, as to the position and it is safe to say
that about 98.5% of the milk consumed in Wembley is now heat
treated under regulation. It is still not well enough understood
that in circumstances as they are to-day the only safe milk is an
efficiently heat treated supply.
4. Ministry of Health Circular No. 13/47 requests some
information regarding the public water supply. The water
supply to the Borough is by the Colne Valley Water Company and
the Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Water Company. These supplies
are sampled bacteriologically at frequent intervals at various
points (106 examinations were made in the twelve months), and
copies of the bacteriological reports forwarded to the Water
Companies, while also the Water Companies submit periodically
their results. The water supply remained bacteriologically satisfactory
and generally sufficient in quantity.
5. HOUSING. The seriousness of the housing situation is
fully appreciated by the Council and they are only too well aware
of their limited possibilities towards its amelioration, but such
possibilities are governed by the difficulties of the situation in the
country generally. Overcrowding is a continually growing
circumstance locally and only 62 cases could be relieved during
the year. At the beginning of the year overcrowding in accordance
with the Housing Act standard numbered 383, and on the
31st December 463. At the present time the Public Health
Department is reviewing all cases which, according to the records
in the Housing Department, suggest that families may be overcrowded.
This has become necessary in connection with the
Council's "points" scheme with regard to the allocation of Council
properties, which pays regard amongst other circumstances,
to overcrowding. Further, the Housing Act standards are
low and minimum standards and do not take into account the
difficulties and inconveniences which occur when a house planned
and intended for only one family is accommodating two, three
or more family units. With regard to disrepair and its
remedy, the shortage of both materials and manpower necessitate
continual adjustment as to practicability and the slogan "First
things first" is not always a very satisfactory answer to the
families dwelling in constantly trying surroundings.
6. FACTORIES ACT, 1937. Mr. R.M. Turner, Chief
Sanitary Inspector, has contributed the following:—
The industries in the Borough continue to be very similar in
character to those which prevailed prior to the War, there being
no heavy industries. The principal industries are light engineer-
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