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6
With regard to the administrative aspects of the establishment of Smoke
Control Areas, our experience to date is that the processes involved are very
detailed and extremely laborious both from the point of view of the Department's
staff and the individual owner or occupier. One hopes that the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government will, in the near future, approve some arrangement
whereby standard grants or maximum approved costings be established on a
national or possibly a regional basis
The practice of the Department in all cases where solid fuel is to be
used, is to encourage owners to install gas ignition wherever that procedure is
reasonably practicable. If an occupant of a dwelling objects to gas ignition
for personal reasons, or a gas supply is not readily accessible, the matter
is not pressed. We do, however, consider gas ignition to be the simplest
and most effective method of igniting solid smokeless fuels, and are of opinion
that ignition by sticks and paper inevitably leads to the emission of smoke
During the year it was observed that bituminous coal was being offered for
sale in Smoke Control Areas; it is hoped that with the wider establishment
of such Areas, local authorities may be given the necessary powers to prohibit
this undesirable practice
Public Health Inspection Staff. At the beginning of the year, the new post
of Senior Housing Inspector was vacant, and there was also a vacancy for one
district Inspector. During the year four district Inspectors obtained
appointments with other authorities, The vacancy for the post of Senior
Housing Inspector was filled by the promotion of a member of the existing
staff. As a result of these changes, the number of vacancies at the end
of the year on the new Public Health Inspection establishment of twenty was
two. In October the establishment of the Clean Air Section of the Department
was revised to provide for a staff comprising a Clean Air Inspector, two of the
district Public Health Inspectors, one Senior Assistant and three Assistants.
Since the system of PAID PUPILAGE was introduced in 1955, the six pupils
trained in the Department have all been successful in obtaining the Public
Health Inspectors Certificate at the first attempt
The work of the department has again proceeded smoothly, and I trust
efficiently, during the year under review, and I have nothing but praise for,
and gratitude to, the members of the staff of the various sections who have
carried out their ever increasing duties so loyally and so cheerfully. I am
also pleased to express my thanks to the Chief Officers and members of the
staffs of other Departments of the Council for their continued co-operation
The General Medical Practitioners in the borough, the staffs of the various
hospitals, the Divisional Medical Officer and staff of the Divisional Health
Office of the London County Council, and the various voluntary organisations
dealing with health and welfare, both in and outside the borough, one and all
gave the staff every possible help throughout the year, and I am very pleased
to have the opportunity of thanking them.
Once again it affords me much pleasure to express to the Chairman and
Members of the Public Health Committee, and to the Members of the Council as
a whole, my grateful appreciation of the help and encouragement which they
gave to me personally, and to the staff generally, throughout the year-
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN FENTON.
Medical Officer of Health.