7. Principal functions of Department---The principal functions of the
 Department of Health shall be---
   (a) To administer this Act and all other public Acts, so far as their
         purpose is the promotion or conservation of health:
   (b) To advise local authorities in matters relating to public health,
         so far as those local authorities are charged with the care of
         the public health by this or any other Act:
   (c) To prevent, limit and suppress infectious and other diseases:
   (d) To promote or carry out researches and investigations in relation
         to matters concerning the public health and the prevention or
         treatment of disease:
   [(da) To carry out inspections of factories within the meaning of
         section 2 of [[the Factories and Commercial Premises Act 1981]]
         in relation to matters concerning the public health and the
         prevention or treatment of disease, and to carry out all such
         inspections as may be required or authorised by or under any
         other Act:]
   (e) To publish reports, information, and advice concerning the public
         health:
   (f) To organise and control medical, dental, and nursing services, so
         far as such services are paid for out of public money:
   (g) Generally, to take all such steps as may be desirable to secure
         the preparation, effective carrying out, and co-ordination of
         measures conducive to the public health.
     Cf. 1920, No. 45, s. 12; 1947, No. 52, s. 3 (3)

       Para (da) was inserted by s. 2 of the Health Amendment Act 1980.
       In para. (da) the Factories and Commercial Premises Act 1981,
     being the corresponding enactment in force at the date of this
     reprint, has been substituted for the repealed Factories Act 1946.