A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

1984 Rates Act (c.33) reformed the rating system; introduced "rate capping"; and provided
powers, subject to Parliamentary approval, to institute a rates limitation scheme covering all
1984 Cont 1
1984 cont local authorities. Similar provisions were made in Scotland in the Rating and
Valuation (Amendment) (Scotland) Act (c.31). See 1987.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (c.60) reformed police powers of stop and search,
arrest, and of entry and seizure; revised the procedures to be followed for police custody;
introduced statutory rights to legal advice for suspects in custody and new rules about
admissible evidence; and set up a new Police Complaints Authority. See 1993.
Public Health (Control of Disease) Act (c.22) consolidated the law relating to the
control of disease; set out the powers and duties of port health authorities; and dealt with
matters concerning burial and cremation, common lodging houses and canal boats. See 1988.
Food Act (c.30) consolidated the law relating to food including the composition and
labelling of food; food unfit for human consumption; hygiene; registration of premises and
licensing of vehicles; control of food premises; food poisoning; milk and dairies; and
markets. See 1990.
Health and Social Security Act (c.48) abolished the monopoly of dispensing opticians
to supply spectacles and lenses; and amended details concerning family practitioner
committees (see 1977 act) and some social security benefits. See 1985.
Dentists Act (c.24) consolidated the previous acts. See 1994.
Registered Homes Act (c.23) consolidated and extended legislation dealing with the
registration and conduct of residential care homes, nursing homes and mental nursing homes;
and the constitution and procedures of registered homes tribunals. 1987.
Mental Health (Scotland) Act (c.36) consolidated previous acts and repealed the 1960
and 1983 acts.
Anatomy Act (c.14) consolidated and revised the law about the use of bodies of
deceased persons for anatomical examinations.
Animal Health and Welfare Act (c.40) extended the 1981 act. See 1986.
Housing and Building Control Act (c.29) extended the Tenants' Charter (see 1980) to
include the right to exchange tenancies, and to repair property subject to regulations. See
1985.
Housing Defects Act (c.50) provided for financial assistance for repairs to owners of
houses purchased from councils before the defects became known. See 1985.
Trade Union Act (c.49) introduced requirements for ballots for the election of certain
trade union officers, and for the calling of strikes and other forms of industrial action. See
1992.
Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act (c.42) allowed for divorce to be petitioned
after the first anniversary of the marriage. See 1996.
Data Protection Act (c.35) regulated the use of automatically processed information
relating to individuals; required the registration of data users; and established new legal rights
for individuals with regard to personal data processed by computing equipment. See 1987.
Road Traffic Regulation Act (c.27) consolidated and amended the 1967 act. See 1988.
Roads (Scotland) Act (c.54) codified the law relating to roads in Scotland.
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution issued a report "Tackling Pollution
- Experience and Prospects", Cmnd.9149, which presented a wide-ranging review of current
problems, including the public's attitudes to various risks, and discussed future policies. See
1987.
The Committee of Enquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology (chairwoman,