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29
The evolution of the present day Sanitary Inspector as compared
with his predecessors of 100 years ago provides an interesting
study. As the functions and duties of the local authority
have increased so too have the functions and duties of the Sanitary
Inspector.
Appointments of inspectors of nuisances were first authorised
in Public Health Act, 1848, and appointments continued to be made
under this title until the Public Health (and Housing) Act, 1921,
which designated all such officers as Sanitary Inspectors.
The duties of early Inspectors were however never very clearly
defined - except in two instances:-
(1) Reporting to the authority on the existence of nuisances.
(2) Action to be taken for the examination of food.
To-day, the duties are very clearly set out in the Sanitary
Officers Order, 1926, and the Sanitary Officers (Outside London)
Regulations, 1935-1950.
These Orders likewise, prescribe the qualifications required,
now known as the "Statutory Qualifications."
It would be true to say that in no case of the local authority's
activity, is the impact upon the public so evident, as that
of the work carried out in the Public Health Department. The Sanitary
Inspector is in intimate contact with members of the community
in their homes and in their work.
He must be reasonable in his outlook and understanding in his
dealings with people whose attitudes are governed by their own immediate
problems, since by the standard of his conduct the local
authority is frequently judged.
Housing
Annual Reports which I have submitted since 1945 all stress
the importance of housing. This report, no less than its predecessors,
must reiterate the magnitude which this problem assumes
year by year.
An examination of the borough shows that:-
7% or 2,100 houses are more than 85 years old.
35% or 10,000 " " from 56 to 85 " "
35% or 10,000 " " " 36 to 55 " "
23% or 6,500 " " 35 years old or less,
and of the last figure, approximately 40% are municipally owned
houses.