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54
After, therefore, considering the matter in all its aspects, we have come to the
conclusion that the best course to be adopted will be for the Council to inform the
local Dispensaries Committee that their suggested scheme is not acceptable to the
Council, and also to instruct us to submit a scheme for the establishment of a Dispensary
under the sole control of the Council, on the lines suggested by the Medical
Officer of Health.
Should the Council adopt our recommendations appended below, it will, in due
course, be necessary, in pursuance of Sec. 8 (3) of the London Government Act, 1899,
to consult the Finance and Parliamentary Committee, for no liability, such as that
we recommend, can legally be incurred except upon a resolution of the Council
passed on an estimate submitted by that Committee.
As will be gathered above, the financial side of the question is an important one,
particularly as the ratepayers of Stepney will, in addition to contributing to our
proposed scheme as Borough Ratepayers, most probably have to contribute to the
County rate in respect of expenses of the London County Council in the event of
Sanatoria being provided by them, and also to meet an insufficiency in the amount
payable to the Insurance Committee for the administration of Medical and Sanatorium
benefits. These maters will, doubtless, receive due consideration at the hands of
the Finance and Parliamentary Committee.
We recommend—
(1) That the Committee of the Stepney Dispensaries be informed that this
Council have carefully considered the views expressed by the Deputation
on the 19th February, and are strongly of opinion that it is
impossible for the Council efficiently to carry out their statutory duties
with regard to Tuberculosis on the lines suggested by the Dispensaries
Committee ;
(2) That the Medical Officer of Health's report be approved and subject to
the submission to the Council by the Finance Committee of an estimate,
as required by Section 8 (3) of the London Government Act, 1899 ;
that the Council do express the opinion that at the expiration of the
term of the Local Government Board's approval of the existing
Dispensaries, viz., 15th July, 1913, a complete Dispensary Scheme
under the Council's control should come into operation in this Borough,
and that it be referred to us to submit such a scheme for approval on
the lines of the Medical Officer of Health's report.
The Council, taking into consideration the fact that as it was uncertain at
present what sum is available for the Sanatorium treatment of insured persons,
referred the matter back to the Committee.