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to secure the abatement of nuisances, and this procedure undoubtedly has been
instrumental in expediting the remedying of defects in controlled houses.
With regard to decontrolled houses, it does seem probable that difficulties may
well arise from the fact that some tenants have signed agreements under which
they have accepted obligations which they may find difficult to meet.
Atmospheric Pollution. Various sections of the Clean Air Act, 1956, including
those relating to Smoke Control Areas, came into operation on December 31st,
and the remaining sections of the Act are operative from 1st June, 1958. The
Council is fully alive to the great opportunity which this legislation presents
to eliminate much of the grave pollution of the atmosphere that now exists, and
after careful consideration decided to establish a Central Smoke Control Area
comprising some 150 acres details of which will be found in the body of the
Report. The Minister has now given his approval in principle to this Area,
and at the time of writing detailed inspection of the premises therein is in
progress. It is hoped that it will be possible for the Order to be made by
the Council in the autumn of this year, and for its confirmation by the
Minister of Housing and Local Government in time to enable it to come into
operation in the Autumn of 1959 The Clean Air Act has repealed the provisions
in Part V of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, which, inter alia, enabled
Metropolitan Boroughs to take action against any person who "carries on any
trade or business which occasions any noxious or offensive effluvia, or
otherwise annoys the neighbourhood or inhabitants, without using the best
practicable means for preventing or counteracting the effluvia or annoyance".
The loss of these provisions is to be regretted and it is hoped that consideration
will be given to their re-instatement in a future London County Council
(General Powers) Act,
Public Health Inspection Staff. At the beginning of the year there were six
vacancies for District Public Health Inspectors on the total establishment of
24 Inspectors During the year two Inspectors resigned to take up appointments
elsewhere, five new appointments were made and at the end of the year
there were three vacancies. The system of paid pupillage adopted by the
Department in 1955 has worked satisfactorily and during the year under review
there were six pupils in training in the Department. One pupil qualified as a
Public Health Inspector in July and was transferred to the Public Health
Inspection Establishment.
Employment for the Elderly. in my last Annual Report I referred to the
establishment of Hackney's first Workshop for the Elderly. This voluntary
undertaking has continued to prosper, and the Committee are now considering the
possibility of extending the present scheme.
As in previous years, the compilation of the Annual Report presents the
occasion for me, in my capacity of Medical Officer of Health, to acknowledge
the help and co-operation the staff of this Department receives from various
individuals and organisations with whom we deal in our daily work. My
colleagues in general practice in the Borough continue to co-operate most
wholeheartedly as do the professional and administrative staffs of the local
hospitals Our work brings us into almost daily contact with the Divisional
Medical Officer of the County Council and the staff of his Department at
Drysdale Street and I would take this opportunity of acknowledging the cooperation
we continue to receive from them Our thanks are also due to the
many voluntary organisations in the Borough whose activities provide a wide
range of services for people in need of help and advice. The Chief Officers
and members of the staffs of other departments of the Council have, as always,
been most helpful, and we are very grateful to them The staff of the Public
Health Department again carried out their various duties most loyally and
with enthusiasm, and it gives me much pleasure to take this opportunity of
expressing my appreciation of their work,