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107
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
The work undertaken by the Public Health Inspectors is often
influenced by the passing of new legislation and such was the case in 1970.
The year was notable for the amount of work which resulted from the
Housing Act, 1969. The particular feature being the requirements of the
Act in relation to the conversion of controlled tenancies to regulated
tenancies. It gave rise to the detailed inspection of some 1,750 dwellings.
Most of the properties concerned had been let at low rents and it was not
surprising to find many of them in need of extensive repairs. During the
course of the surveys that were made the Inspectors were often able to deal
with other matters associated with environmental hygiene and this Act
should result in far reaching and worthwhile improvements.
Housing conditions in Harrow are, however, generally satisfactory. It
was not found necessary to deal with any areas under the clearance
provisions of the Housing Acts and the number of individual unfit houses
made the subject of Closing Orders was relatively small. In order to
ascertain whether any of the areas that were developed at the turn of the
century were suitable for action under the provisions of the Housing Act
relating to general improvement areas a number of preliminary surveys
were made. Several possibles were found and these will be receiving
further attention. Other surveys were made to find out the extent to which
dwellings in the area were let in multiple occupation.
Due to the amount of work undertaken under the Housing Acts, there
was a reduction in the amount of work undertaken in other fields, particularly
in the matter of the routine inspections under the Offices, Shops
and Railway Premises Act. A similar pattern is likely to continue during 1971.
All complaints received were, however, investigated and action was
taken in respect of any contraventions found. Likewise, investigations
were carried out in respect of all notified cases of infectious diseases and to
known cases of food poisoning. Visists were also made to the addresses
given by immigrants. In these cases advice was given on the health
services available in the district and, where appropriate, the accommodation
which they had acquired was checked.
In the matter of the control of foodstuffs and food hygiene, it is not
without interest to note that during 1970 the last of the slaughterhouses in
the Borough ceased to operate. Until recently there were three but
improving standards made it difficult for the owners to meet present day
requirements and when the licence in respect of the one in Stanmore
expired it was not renewed. The other slaughterhouses were closed by
voluntary agreement in previous years. In 1934 there were nine slaughterhouses
in the district.
Yet another change is the entry into the district of meat and other
foodstuff from abroad in bull containers. These often arrive without the
contents being inspected at the ports of entry. In such cases, notification is