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(c) The Covent Garden Area (100 acres).
Approval in principle has been given by the Minister of Housing and
Local Government for the required survey to be made of this third
Smoke Control Area. Work in connection with the survey is in progress,
and it is hoped that the Order will come into force on 1st October, 1960.
Further Operation of Clean Air Act.
1st June, 1958, was the second "appointed day" when section 1 of
the Clean Air Act, 1956, came into operation. This section prohibits
the emission of dark smoke from chimneys anywhere, subject to certain
exemptions which are dealt with in the Dark Smoke (Permitted Period)
Regulations, 1958.
On the same day the Alkali, etc., Works Order, 1958, made under the
Clean Air Act, came into force, whereby such works are made subject
to the provisions of section 17 of the Clean Air Act, which provides that
where all reasonable steps have been taken to minimise smoke emission,
no action can be taken.
Grants towards adaptations or alterations.
In connection with the creation of Smoke Control Areas, provision
is made in the Act for a grant to be paid to householders towards the
cost of any necessary alterations or adaptations to their existing equipment
to enable them to use an authorised fuel.
During 1958 two applications for grant were received from residents
in the Temple Bar Smoke Control Area, in one case for the replacement
of open fire grates, and in the other for replacement of a coal-burning
cooking range with one to burn smokeless fuel. The amount of grant
which can be claimed by the householder is 70 per cent, of the total
cost incurred. Forty per cent, of the total is subsequently recoverable by
the local authority from the Central Government.
Consultant Panel
In June, 1958, the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee
notified constituent Councils that they had asked the Advisory Body of
Borough Engineers to submit to them the names of suitable persons who
would be willing to act as consultants to assist metropolitan borough
councils in the administration of the Clean Air Act. Notification was
later received that a Consultant Panel had been set up.