[Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow.

  • Glasgow (Scotland)
Date:
1959
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    31/410 (page 29)
    General Sanitary Operations. The Glasgow Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1959, gave powers to the Corporation to clear stopped-up waste and soil pipes, and steps have been taken to speed up the abatement of this type of nuisance. Considerable inroads were made on the number of abandoned properties by the actions under the Housing Acts and in the Dean of Guild Court. The rehousing of tenants from houses condemned as unfit is tending to slow down the demand on available accommodation. Applications under the Rent Acts, 1954-57, have fallen rapidly and now involve little staff time. The drainage inspectors have been kept busy during this year in the testing of new drains, particularly in the new housing areas, and also in the many alterations and extensions to commercial and industrial premises throughout the Divisions. The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations, 1959, have at last come into force with powers to require a higher standard of food handling and clean catering. The extensive work involved makes it not possible to enforce all sections, but steady progress is being made. While pro- tection of the public must be of paramount consideration, regard must be had to the particular circumstances in each case, and in the majority of instances it is possible to reach a satisfactory standard. As already mentioned, the Smoke Control Sections of the Clean Air Act are being administered by the Divisions. The preliminary surveys and subsequent administration are shared by the Divisional Staff and that of the Smoke Abatement Section, the latter being responsible for the industrial and commercial premises. An immense amount of effort is required to ensure that the tenants appreciate the position and that conversions proceed with satisfaction and speed. In certain divisions inspections of factories decreased during the year owing to the diversion of staff to other duties. In the course of the year a number of defects were brought to light requiring the attention of the management. Compared to the number of properties few con- traventions were found, and in the majority of instances they were of a minor character. Progress is now being made with the limewashing, etc., of closes and staircases. There is undoubtedly a greater readiness on the part of the owners than in the recent past to have this partly decorative work carried out. Reports are included of unusual nuisances occurring in the city.