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14
It is of the utmost importance that every Local Board, to which the
sanitary arrangements of a district are entrusted, should be in possession
of a vacant site on which might be erected in cases of any sudden outbreak
of epidemic diseases, a temporary Hospital for the reception and
treatment of persons suffering from such disease. As the Guardians
merely hold those buildings mentioned in Mr. Vallance's letter as
tenants from year to year, steps should be taken by this Board to secure
a suitable freehold site, which could be used, when required, for all
sanitary purposes. By the 47th section of the Sanitary Act, land may
be purchased by the Board, otherwise than by agreement, for necessary
purposes in connection with the Act.
The necessity for Sanitary Purposes of obtaining a new Building
Act during the ensuing Session of Parliament.
I have, from time to time, in my Quarterly Reports pointed out the
sanitary defects in the Building Act, and I find from the agenda papers of
the Metropolitan Board of Works, that the question of preparing a new
Building Act has been again under discussion.
The public mind, during the last few years, has been much enlightened
upon the subject of providing healthy habitations for the people, especially
for those living in large and populous districts; and the public, I apprehend,
have arrived at the conclusion that the first thing to be done is to lay down
such rules for the building of a house as shall effectually put a stop to the
further erection of unhealthy ones. But as unhealthy houses are permitted
to be erected, not only in London, but in the suburbs thereof, and in the
cities and large towns in the United Kingdom, it appears to me that the
Government should undertake the duty of bringing in a Bill for the amendment
of all the Building Acts, and which should be applicable to all large
towns in the country. In such a Bill it would be most desirable to give
additional powers to the Metropolitan Board of Works, and in the provinces
to the Municipal authorities, for the purpose of acquiring land, otherwise
than by agreement, for the purpose of effecting sanitary improvements in
unhealthy courts and narrow places; for unless such power be obtained, and
carried into effect, very little improvement will take place in the unhealthy
districts of London and of other populous places.
If any alteration should be made in the constitution of the Metropolitan
Board of Works, it would be desirable to add to its functions that of a
sanitary supervision over the whole Metropolis, with power to appoint a
highly-qualified Medical Officer of Health, who, from his position, administrative
talent, and scientific attainments, would command the respect of the
Metropolitan Health Officers, and who, in all cases of doubt or difficulty,
might be consulted by them. A system of uniformity in all the reports of
the Medical Officers of Health should be adopted, and a copy of each report
should be sent to the Superintending Medical Officer, who should be required
to make a digest of them, for publication and general distribution.