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5
(The advantage gained by this section is that the clerk to the local
authority will have express statutory direction for his action in giving
notice, and will not need specific authority. Delay will be prevented,
since the officers will be able to proceed to cleanse and disinfect, if,
twenty-four hours aft er the owner or occupier has received the notice,
he has not informed the authority that he will do the work to the
satisfaction of the Medical Officer of Health. But the Vestry must
consider that as yet they have not provided a disinfecting chamber as a
part of their sanitary machinery.)
Section 17. For the purpose of carrying Section 5 into effect the
local authority may, by any officer appointed in that behalf, who shall
produce his authority in writing, enter any premises between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Section 15 provides that, if it be necessary for the members of a
family to leave their dwelling, so that it may be efficiently disinfected
by the local authority, the local authority must provide them, free of
charge, with a temporary shelter or house accommodation, and any
necessary attendants. (This is a provision which would seem to require
the early attention of the Vestry.)
Section 6 provides that the Medical Officer of Health may, by
notice in writing, require the owner of any infected bedding, clothing,
&c., to cause the same to be delivered to and removed by an officer of
the local authority, for purposes of disinfection. The articles, after
disinfection, are to be taken back and delivered to the owner, free of
charge.
(Penalty for failure to comply with the above requirement not
to exceed £10.)
Section 7 deals with the reletting of a house or part, after
infectious disease has been in the house. It is intended for the protection
of persons entering upon occupation. But the protection is
limited, as the penalty (not exceeding £10) for failure to disinfect, and
for omission to give notice to the owner, is not incurred should the outgoing
tenant vacate the house six weeks after it has been occupied by
a person suffering from an infectious disease.
Presumably, however, the case would be dealt with by the local
authority in connection with the Notification Act, and it is the duty of