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' 6. That regular systematic inspection of bakehouses is imperatively necessary
for the protection of the interests of public health.
' 7- That such inspection could be best carried out by Sanitary Authorities, who
have an ample staff of trained and efficient medical and sanitary officers
available for the purpose.
' 8. That the provisions of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1878, are insufficient to
secure a proper sanitary condition of bakehouses, regarded as places in which
a prime necessary of life, the daily food of man, is prepared.
'9. That there is urgent necessity for fresh legislation to secure such proper
sanitary condition ; it being desirable, moreover, for the reasons above indicated,
that the supervision of bakehouses should be restored to the Sanitary
Authorities.
' 10. That in the contemplated legislation provision should be made for—
Licensing or Registration of Bakehouses.
Power of entry at all times by the Officers of the Local Authority,
Power to the Local Authority, being the Sanitary Authority, to enable
them to regulate bakehouses, by bye-laws dealing with—
(a) the position and the construction, including lighting and ventilation,
and periodical cleansing, of bakehouses, and
(b) the materials and utensils employed in the manufacture of bread,
pastry, &c.
' The Society, therefore, respectfully recommend the introduction of a Govern
ment Bill to secure the above objects, being of opinion, moreover, that the
principles applicable in respect of bakehouses might be judiciously extended
to all other places in which articles of food of man are prepared for sale.'
" The Home Secretary was at the same time requested to receive
a deputation from the society. In his reply he stated that he was in
communication with the Local Government Board on the subject,
and that he had referred the suggestions of the Society to that Board,
postponing 'for the present the question of receiving the deputation'
—which never was received.
"The Operative Bakers' and Confectioners' Union were more
favoured, for having very properly taken up the question of insanitary
bakehouses, in the interests of their personal health and welfare, they
obtained an audience from Sir Charles Dilke, President of the Local
Government Board, (in the absence of the Home Secretary), the
Chief Inspector of Factories being present, to represent their
grievances. Mr. Broadhurst, M,P., who introduced the deputation,
stated that the main points they wished to bring before the Government
were, the desirability of appointing Government Inspectors of
Bakehouses, and that the Government should bring in an Act, or a
clause in an Act, to provide that for the future no bakehouse should
be built underground. Mr. Broadhurst quoted a paragraph in a
memorial presented by the deputation, as follows, the facts stated
being only too true :— 'At present almost any kitchen or cellar is turned
into a bakehonse, often in close proximity to drains, many being even
undrained, and totally unfit places for the manufacture of human food.'