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Schools.
Inspections of the sanitary arrangements and canteens at the schools
within the jurisdiction of the Divisional Executive were carried out by the
sanitary inspectors during the year 1954. It was not necessary to close any
schools on account of infectious disease among children.
Ambulance Facilities.
The Middlesex County Council is the responsible authority for the provision
of the ambulance service under the National Health Service Act, 1946.
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951.
Five premises have so far been registered under the Rag Flock and Other
Filling Materials Act, 1951, and two samples of rag flock were obtained and
were satisfactory. There are no premises requiring to be licensed as there is no
manufacture or storage of rag flock in the Borough.
National Assistance Act, 1948, Section 47.
It was not necessary, during 1954, to remove to suitable premises any
persons in need of care and attention.
Complaints.
During 1954 the number of complaints received by the department was
1,795.
Smoke Abatement.
During the year 216 smoke observations were made. The Byelaws
prescribe that the emission of black smoke for more than two minutes in any
period of 30 minutes shall until the contrary is proved be deemed to be a
statutory nuisance and a smoke nuisance. These observations were taken over
30-minute periods, but each district inspector is constantly taking spot
observations of factory chimneys in his district.
It was found necessary on one occasion to report contravention of the
Byelaws to the Health Committee and in this case a warning letter was sent to
the offending firm by the Town Clerk. This proved effective and no further
nuisance was observed.
Housing.
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, came into operation in August
1954, and amended the Housing Act, 1936. Every local authority had to
submit to the Minister their proposals for dealing with houses which appeared
to be unfit for human habitation and with any other houses which ought to be
included in clearance areas.
This information was required not later than August, 1955, and it meant
that a survey had to be made of the whole of the Borough.
To cope with this work, Mr. K. E. Evans was promoted from District
Sanitary Inspector to Specialist Housing Inspector. During the year the
Chief Sanitary Inspector and Mr. Evans inspected over 580 houses, and in
April, 1955, a report was submitted to the Health Committee listing 168 unfit
houses. This information was than sent to the Minister and in 1955, the work
of dealing with these unfit houses commenced.
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