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situated in large houses now carved up into "flats" many of the
corrrespondingly large gardens have been built on with the result
that very little can be done to improve the natural lighting to these
basements. Here again the demand for accommodation of any kind
results in comparatively large sums being paid to keep this poor type
of dwelling in occupation. No matter how elaborately "modernised"
or decorated, basements do not make satisfactory dwellings, especially
in low lying districts near the River.
Now that all the houses which were considered fit only for
demolition and closing have been dealt with, these basements will
form the bulk of the next five year programme.
As a result of the influx of Commonwealth and foreign immigrants
there have inevitably been a few complaints about overcrowding
and unsatisfactory living conditions. The natural exuberance, colourful
attire and strange habits of some of these families have been resented
by established residents, but investigations rarely reveal any cause for
complaint on public health grounds.
OVERCROWDING
The position with regard to statutory overcrowding is reasonably
satisfactory, owing to the special consideration which such cases
receive when allocations of Corporation dwellings are made.
The number of overcrowded families re-housed during the year
was 34.
SECTION 'E' —INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF
FOOD
The routine supervision of food handling establishments has
continued on a modest scale. Some of the outstanding problems in
connection with the administration of the Food Hygiene Regulations
have been probed further, and a fairly satisfactory working standard
has now been formulated in connection with the provision of suitable
hand washing facilities in older premises where the cost of providing
proper facilities, nearer to the point of handling, would be prohibitive.
Very few complaints were received regarding the quality of food
sold in the shops. Competition amongst traders is now so acute that
every effort is made to satisfy customers' legitimate complaints. There
was only one complaint about a dirty milk bottle but several relating
to mould in bread, especially sliced and wrapped bread.
The general standard of food handling is reasonably satisfactory,
but investigations show that expediency is still the main criteria in the
food trades. The cooking of meat the day before it is to be consumed
is probably the most serious of the bad practices encountered.