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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES
REPORT OF THE CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR.
H. AULT. M.S.I.A.
I have pleasure in submitting the Annual Report on the work of the Sanitary
Inspectors during the year ending 31st December, 1954.
Opportunity is taken to express my appreciation of the co-operation and services
rendered by the Technical and Clerical Staff.
Some comment on items of particular interest is provided in addition to the
statistical tables.
The number of dwelling houses in the Borough is 4l,981 and the population is
168,600.
SANITARY INSPECTORS - VACANCIES IN STAFF. The year opened with 3 vacancies in the
Sanitary Inspectors' staff and by the 31st March, this number had increased to 10.
From the 1st April to the end of July, the remaining staff, consisting of myself, the
Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector and six Sanitary Inspectors, divided the Borough into
eight districts and attempted to cope, as far as possible, with all the work arising.
I wish to place on record my appreciation of the work done and support given by the staff
during this difficult period. The newly appointed staff, consisting of seven Senior
Sanitary Inspectors and seven assistants, commenced duty during August and from then
onwards were busily engaged in re-organising the districts and bringing arrears of work
up-to-date.
WATER SUPPLY. The Metropolitan Water Board are the Statutory Undertakers throughout the
County Borough and the water has been satisfactory in quantity and quality.
There is no evidence of plumbo-solvent action and no cases of contamination were
reported. All the houses, except 2, are supplied directly by pipes. In these two
instances, water is supplied to standpipes situated in the yards.
FACTORIES ACT, 1937. Generally speaking, if a factory is equipped with and uses
mechanical power, the administration of the Factories Act, 1937. is the responsibility of
the Factory Inspectors of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, with the exception
of the enforcement of the provision of sanitary accommodation, which is dealt with by the
Sanitary Inspectors. In non-mechanically operated factories, the provisions relating to
cleanliness, over-crowding, temperature, ventilation and drainage of floors is dealt with
by the Sanitary Inspectors. In the case of factories belonging to the Crown, however, the
powers and duties of district councils are administered by the Factory Inspectors and the
Sanitary Inspectors have no power with regard to these factories. In the case of food
factories, all matters relating to the inspection of food for unsoundness or disease, and
the prevention of contamination, are the province of the Sanitary Inspectors in any class
of factory.
During the year, 1712 visits were made for the purpose of the Factories Act, 1937.
to 916 factories and 4l written notices were served in respect of contraventions. In no
case was it necessary to Institute proceedings.
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