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71
Sanitary Administration.
shops and bakers, a L.A. has no statutory power under the Public
Health Acts to deal with premises as regards their suitability in all
respects for the preparation of food for human consumption.
Power only exists to deal with " nuisances " under Section 91 It
is quite obvious that this Section is inadequate to deal with
particular matters that are patent to restaurants, coffee-shops, and
butchers.
Some districts have useful power incorporated in a local Act.
This, no doubt, is the best practicable way out of the difficulty, as the
requirements vary according to the circumstances of each district.
At the same time a Local Act should embody power enabling
more than one Sanitary Inspector to be appointed to an Urban
District, as in the Metropolitan Boroughs, thus increasing the
efficiency of the administrative machinery.
In both circumstances practically the same work is carried
out. The disadvantages of the present system are many. For
example, an Assistant Inspector may detect unsound or diseased
food at premises. Having no direct power to make a seizure, he
endeavours to persuade the tradesman to surrender the food.
Failing surrender, the Inspector has to seek the M.O.H. or
Inspector of Nuisances.
Is it likely that the unsound food will be allowed to remain so
that it can be seized ?
The law, in its existing form, is, therefore, in favour of the
wrongdoer, and fails to protect the public as they think they are
protected.
Certificates have been granted to tradesmen, submitting the
following articles of food for inspection, to enable them to secure the
return of the purchase-money from the wholesale dealers: 1 box of
catfish, 8 boxes of tomatoes, 1 trunk of haddocks, 3 boxes of kippers.
With regard to the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, the procedure