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In addition, a Scheme was prepared to take effect from 1st March 1972, and applicable to the whole
of the Borough, for the registration of houses in multiple occupation, by which it is hoped not only to register
existing properties but to obtain a form of effective control regarding proposed increased occupancies.
Overcrowding
The extent of over-crowding illegally or statutorily is not known and is not static. From time to
time it is dealt with by flagrant breaches of the provisions of the Act being brought to the notice of the
Department.
Housing on Medical Grounds
Each medical certificate and all medical evidence provided in support of an application for rehousing
is submitted for assessment, and points may be granted up to a maximum of 5 in respect of a medical claim.
The medical part of the evidence is carefully examined and. in order to achieve uniformity, the whole of these
assessments are made by one individual officer. It is possible for the Medical Officer to recommend a separate
bedroom if requisite and in the case of exceptionally severe illness a recommendation may be made that the
case is brought to the immediate attention of the Committee.
During the year. 1,358 cases were considered and awarded points, where appropriate, on medical
grounds. In addition 82 applications for transfer on medical ground^ were dealt with.
CLEAN AIR
(Table 21)
Because of a threatened national shortage of Solid Smokeless Fuel it was necessary to suspend 13
Smoke Control Orders (totalling 40% of the total premises) until the 31st March, 1971.
The Brent No. 7 (Sudbury) Smoke Control Order made by the Council on the 14th July, 1971 was
confirmed by the Secretary of State for the Environment on the 8th November, 1971 to come into operation on
1st July, 1972. This Smoke Control Area covers 740 acres and contains 5,519 dwellings and 111 industrial
commercial and other premises. When the Order comes into operation 70% of the area of the Borough will be
covered by Smoke Control Areas.
The Smoke Control Area programme for the Borough could be completed by 1973.
Measurements of sulphur dioxide and smoke concentration were taken throughout the year at
Kilburn High School, Kingsbury High School and the G.P.O. Research Station. Dollis Hill.
Twentv-two notifications of new boiler plant were received in accordance with Section 3 of the Clean
Air Act 1956 and the heights of 4 new chimneys were approved.
INSPECTION OF FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
(Tables 22-25)
The changing picture of what is now the food purchasing and eating habits of the populace of
Brent can be compared to the difference between a Strauss waltz and modern beat music.
Immigrants from the Commonwealth have brought with them to the shops, foods which years ago
were delicacies and only to be purchased in selective areas, now an everyday occurrence, avocado pears,
melons, beetle nuts, to mention a few are, laid alongside apples and tomatoes on display. Goat meat is sold
without comment alongside beef, yams all sizes, colours and shapes, exotic sauces and flavours all for the
choosing. Coupled with an increase in travel at holiday time, people are now widening their choice, not
only of what they purchase for consumption at home but also when eating out—a Chinese meal is as common
place as fish and chips, an Indian curry as a steak.
Further extension of the altering of people's palates are the greater provision in food premises of wines,
from the common place to the vintage, of cheeses from the world at large, delicatessens are in demand, count
even the different types of bread sold at any baker's shop—all these point to the change in eating habits.
Frozen foods as stored within the home are on the increase, more stores especially catering for these
needs are opening, giving a service covering virtually all asnects of food. The home freezer is still in its infancy,
but surely in time will take its place alongside the more conventional refrigerator in the household.
With such changing habits, the need for vigilance on the part of the Public Health Inspector and
his need to keep abreast of such transformation is of first priority—happily it is taken in its stride and no
difficulties experienced.
The question is often posed of language difficulties of the Inspectorate and the food trader. This
rarely, if ever occurs, remembering and balancing t^e old saying of "there are none so deaf as those who
do not wish to hear", language presents little or no barrier, by sufferance, education, even by interpretation
the message gets through eventually. Fortunately one of the Public Health Inspectors has a great knowledge of
Chinese and many dialects so there is no problem here, in fact he frequently gives lectures on food hygiene to
the resident Chinese population—these lectures being well received.
Legal proceedings were taken relating to 18 premises under the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations
1970 resulting in a total of £1,198 fines and costs (Table 25).
INSPECTION OF POULTRY
There is no slaughtering of poultry carried on within the District. The inspection of poultry purveyed
by butchers and similar establishments is carried out as routine, with particular emphasis at Christmas.