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that can be expected from such an instrument is to indicate what
immediate action, if any, should be taken in the public interest
pending more accurate and skilled assessments by outside experts.
The Radioactive Substances Bill now before Parliament provides
for copies of Registrations of users of radioactive materials to be
passed to Local Authorities, but the Minister has powers to omit the
transference of this information in certain cases, on grounds of
national security; also there is no provision in the Bill for power
of entry to premises by a Medical Officer of Health for the purpose
of informing himself on the disposal of radioactive wastes and on
other health hazards.
In the meantime, personal liaison with local experts has been
established, and it is hoped that eventually a comprehensive
information service with powers of inspection, will become available
to Medical Officers of Health to enable them to deal effectively with
all local enquiries.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Arising out of my observations in the Annual Report for 1958
(page 4), the Council obtained an assurance from the Commissioner of
Metropolitan Police that the traffic patrols had been issued with
standing instructions to give attention to pollution from the exhausts
of motor vehicles, and that the police would be prepared to prosecute
where appropriate, and if satisfactory supporting evidence could be
obtained.
Consultations were subsequently held with the Divisional Police
Superintendent on the definition of "satisfactory supporting evidence".
The essential requirement is a proof that the amountand duration of
smoke emission was enough to render overtaking dangerous on a road
suitable for overtaking under normal circumstances. It is presumably
the stringency of this requirement which makes action under the existing
Regulation 79(b) (Motor Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations 1955)
so difficult to apply.
FLUORIDATION.
During the year, the subject of fluoridation of public water
supplies came under discussion. Although it is accepted by most expert
opinion that the addition of fluorides to public water supplies can be
expected to improve the dental health of the population without detriment,
there is still a body of organised public opinion which is strongly
opposed to the idea - both in principle and through fear of some possible
harmful effects of long-term usage.
I have been in correspondence with both the Ministry of Health and
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