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10
Hygiene Regulations. Following a report, the Council agreed to
discontinue their use as cooking centres. Arrangements were made
to cater for the Old People's Luncheon Clubs and the Meals-onWheels-Service
from a new purpose-built kitchen erected at Elmgrove
depot. Now the meals are prepared and cooked under
excellent modern hygienic conditions and, although there were
some slight teething troubles, mainly associated with the delivery
and serving of the meals from bulk containers at the luncheon
centres, these were soon ironed out, and this well worthwhile
service for the elderly and the housebound goes on apace. Here
a word of praise and thanks must go to the members of the Meals
Sub-Committee of the Old People's Welfare Committee and to the
teams of ladies who give so willingly of their time in serving and
washing up at the centres and without whose help it would not be
possible to provide this service.
1964 had its quota of new legislation and I would particularly
draw attention to the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Acts,
the Children's Nightdresses Regulations and the Egg Albumen/
Dessicated Coconut and Liquid Egg (Pasteurisation) Regulations—
designed in one way or another to protect the health of the
individual either through his environment or through his personal
health. In addition, Section 32 of the Children and Young Persons
Act, 1963, came into force on the 1st February, 1964. This section
increases tenfold or more the penalties for supplying tobacco to
children, whether by direct sale or by not taking precautions to
prevent an automatic cigarette machine being used by persons
apparently under sixteen years of age. Enforcement would appear
to be the difficulty here but at any rate it is always another step in
the direction of dissuading young people from starting the smoking
habit. The reduction in television advertisements on smoking may
be of more value.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the
Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee for their
interest and support during the year and also acknowledge with
thanks the help and co-operation of my colleagues on the Council's
staff. Last, but not least, I thank all members of the Health
Department for their willing and able assistance throughout a
busy year.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM CORMACK,
Medical Officer of Health.