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SECTION XIV PUBLIC HEALTH (SHELLFISH) REGULATIONS
1934 AND 1948
The Medway (Shellfish) Regulations 1935, which came into operation on the 1st February
1936, cover all shellfish layings on or near the banks and creeks of the Rivers Medway and Swale
from the seaward limit Garrison Point to Grain and the north western limit of the Faversham Port
Health Authority. The Regulations are enforced by the Port of London Health Authority and the
Rochester Port Health Authority in their respective Districts.
Two Orders under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations 1934 and 1948 have been made.
The first Order, which came into operation on the 1st June, 1936 covers the public and private
layings on the foreshores or waters, creeks and sands immediately bordering on that part of the
Estuary of the River Thames between Canvey Island and Shoeburyness. The second Order, which
came into operation on the 2nd September 1957, covers the public and private layings on the
foreshores or waters immediately bordering on that part of the Estuary of the River Thames between
Garrison Point and Warden Point.
For some time the Authority has been concerned that they have no control over certain parts
of the District where shellfish layings are known to exist. Accordingly, investigations were made
in that part of the Port Health District which includes the River Roach and its tributaries and
certain parts of the estuary of the River Thames and indications were found of pollution of the
River Roach (due largely to a fifteen to twenty per cent increase in the local population in the
last five years). "Unfit for bathing" notices have been erected by Rochford R.D.C. at twelve
access points to the River Roach on the advice of their Medical Officer of Health.
It is now considered that the River Roach and such tributaries as fall within the jurisdiction
of the Port Health Authority and certain areas of the River Thames which are not covered by the
existing Orders and Regulations should be treated in a like manner.
A bacteriological sampling survey of water and shellfish is to be undertaken in the Spring of
1971 in these areas in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Fisheries
Research Laboratory at Burnham on Crouch.
Oyster Industry
This continued within the Authority's jurisdiction in the waters of the River Roach, Barling
Creek, Pagglesham Pool and the Middleway which forms part of the Havengore Creek, all in the
County of Essex. The various layings are worked by four companies and in addition the Fisheries
Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food at Burnham on Crouch has an interest
in various layings in the area, for research purposes. There were no applications for "Certificates
of Purity" for export purposes.
Cockle Industry
There were no problems associated with the cockle industry at Leigh-on-Sea. The eight
approved establishments continue to operate and visits were made from time to time to ensure
that the requirements of the 1936 Shellfish Order were being complied with.
The experimental suction type dredge used for gathering cockles has proved to be so successful
that it is now used by all of the firms engaged in this trade.
There were no reports during the year, of sickness attributable to the consumption of cockles
sterilised in the Leigh sheds.
Mussels
There was no request by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food during the year to
sample mussels for research purposes.
SECTION XV
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF ALIENS AND COMMONWEALTH IMMIGRANTS
1. List of Medical Inspectors holding warrants of appointment at the 31st December, 1970:-
Dr. W.G. Swann, Dr. D.T. Jones, Dr. W. Stott, Dr. A.E.L. de Thierry
Dr. W.T. Rougier Chapman, Dr. G.W. Aston, Dr. R.F. Armstrong,
Dr. R.G.S. Whitfield, Dr. R. Tilley, Dr. R.M. Best, Dr. W.T.G. Boul, Dr. D.J. Avery,
Dr. D. Keys, Dr. P.J.R. Walters.
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