London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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10
CLEAN AIR
The Clean Air Act, 1956, came into full operation on the 1st June, 1958. With certain temporary
exemptions the Act prohibits the emission of "dark smoke" from all chimneys and provides for the establishment
of smoke control areas. Steady progress continues to be made in the establishment of such areas.
The No. 4 (Harlesden) Smoke Control Area, covering 210.8 acres, with 3,959 dwellings, 399 commercial,
18 industrial and 20 other premises, was confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
in February, and came into operation on 1st October, 1962. In April, the Middlesex County Council
stated that the proposed Harrow Road Diversion Scheme had been included in the 1965/66 programme of
major road works submitted to the Ministry of Transport. This scheme will involve the demolition of 196
properties in the No. 4 Area, affecting 292 dwellings, 24 commercial and one other premises. The Council
therefore decided that these premises should be exempted from the Order and a Variation Order was submitted
to the Minister on 12th November, 1962.
The Orders now in operation are as follows:
| Area No. | Date of operation | Acreage | No. of dwellings | No. of other premises |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.6.59 | 48.5 | 627 | 73 |
| 2 | 1.10.60 | 271.0 | 2,351 | 143 |
| 3 | 1.11.61 | 380.0 | 5,057 | 450 |
| 4 | 1.10.62 | 210.8 | 3,667 | 412 |
| 910.3 | 11,702 | 1,078 |
The No. 5 (Manor) Smoke Control Area, covering 355 acres, with 4,192 dwellings, 105 commercial
and 16 other premises, was confirmed by the Council in October and was submitted to the Minister of Housing
and Local Government. The proposed date of operation is 1st November, 1963. The Council decided that
23 properties which are due to be demolished during the next few years should be exempted from the Order,
and also 114 prefabricated Council dwellings should be given exemption from having means of smokeless
ignition and the occupiers be allowed to use sticks and paper for lighting fires. These dwellings, which are
due to be demolished during the next few years, are all fitted with fireplaces which can burn solid smokeless
fuel, but not fitted with gas ignition.
The volumetric analysis of sulphur dioxide in the air has continued at the Willesden County Grammar
School and in the Public Health Department. The results are sent to the appropriate section of the Department
of Scientific and Industrial Research each month.
Thirty-six notifications of the installation of new boiler plant were received in accordance with the
provisions of section 3 of the Clean Air Act.
The Council is represented on an Inter-borough Smoke Control Liaison Committee, which includes
delegates from Hammersmith, Fulham, Brentford and Chiswick, Acton, Barnes and Richmond Councils, and
meets at Hammersmith Town Hall.
DISINFESTATION
The Public Health Inspectors inspect verminous premises and supervise the work of disinfestors
employed by the Council (section 93 of the Public Health Act, 1936) (Table 33). There was a decrease in
the work compared with the previous year.
The Council provide transport for clothing and bedding requiring disinfection and disinfestation at
the Neasden Hospital (section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936). The Council's attendant disinfects and
disinfests rooms, and collects and delivers the clothing and bedding.
RODENT CONTROL
Rodent control, as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Infestation Branch) has
been carried out in the properties below:—
Business premises 202
Borough Council properties 9
Private dwellings 828
Total 1,039
at the following cost:—
Business premises £1,600 11 6
Private dwellings £2,159 1 9
Total £3,759 13 3