View report page

184
Subsequently, the Home Secretary received the deputation, when
several of its members laid emphasis on the fact that the unsatisfactory
condition of bakehouses seriously affected the wholesome character
of bread. The right hon. gentleman, in reply, said that the 'Government
would, by legislation, prevent—at least, so they proposed—the
construction of underground bakehouses for the future. As to the
question of inspection, he could not hold out any promise, but the
memorial would be taken into careful consideration.'
" The Chief Inspector of Factories, &c., again referred to the
subject of bakehouses in his annual report for 1882 as follows :—
'Upon a review of the condition of bakehouses, and the very slender chance
of any real and effectual amelioration taking place in the making and
baking of bread, without the interposition of authority, I would desire
to see legislative enactments laying down some broad rules, placing the
control over the construction of bakehouses, and the maintenance of them in
a healihy condition, in the hands of the local authority.'
"The Chief Inspector went on to say that 'the Authority having
control over the construction of bakehouses, and power to frame byelaws
. . . should be the various local authorities having supervision
over the sanitary condition of their districts.' But, strangely
enough, whilst deeming the Sanitary Authorities of urban and rural
sanitary districts competent for the discharge of these duties, he proposed
to hand over the bakehouses in London to the Metropolitan
Board of Works. Commenting upon this suggestion in my report for
1882, I observed that, ' Having regard to the desirability of uniformity
in bye-laws, I should be content to see the power of framing such as
are necessary for regulating the construction and sanitary supervision
of bakehouses in the Metropolis, vested in the Metropolitan Board of
Works, provided that the bye-laws so framed were submitted to the
Local Government Board for confirmation, so as to ensure the revision
of them by competent legal and medical experts; but the duty of
inspection, and generally of carrying out the bye-laws, should be entrusted
to the sanitary authorities, viz., the several vestries and district
boards of works.'
" In 1883 the views of your Vestry on the subject of bakehouse
supervision were to some extent adopted, the Government having
brought in and carried a Factory and Workshop Bill, one of the clauses
of which restored to the Sanitary Authorities their former position as
' local authority,' so far as related to cleanliness, ventilation, overcrowding,
and other matters affecting the sanitary condition of bakehouses ;
viz., by enabling them to enforce Sections 3, 33, 34 and 35 of the
Factory and Workshop Act, 1878.* The recommendations of your
* It may be mentioned that I prepared an Abstract of the provisions of the Act
so far as it related to bakehouses, with all necessary information for the guidance of
master and journeymen bakers, a copy of which was furnished to the several occupiers
of bakehouses in this parish.