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bakehouses was as follows. Soon after the passing of the Act
the question was carefully considered by the Health
Committee, and early in 1902 a circular letter was sent to the
occupiers of underground bakehouses, setting forth the
provisions of the Act which affected them, and asking each
occupier to make application for a certificate if it was his
intention to use his bakehouse after Ist January, 1904. Each
bakehouse was then inspected by the Medical Officer of Health,
who reported thereon to the Health Committee. There were
49 underground bakehouses in Battersea at the beginning of
the year, and in no case could the certificate be given unless
more or less extensive alterations were carried out. In most
cases it was evident that certain structural alterations would
make the bakehouse fairly suitable, but in some cases it was
found to be impossible to suggest any practicable alterations
which would have the effect of converting the bakehouse into
a place suitable for the preparation of human food. In other
cases, although the bakehouse could be made suitable, the
cost of carrying out the necessary alterations was practically
prohibitive.
In all cases where it appeared to be impossible at any
reasonable cost to make the bakehouse suitable, the occupier
was strongly advised to abandon it altogether, and in three
cases the certificate was definitely refused by the Council.
Out of the 49 underground bakehouses no less than 16 or 32
per cent, were closed. In 15 instances the bakehouse was
closed with the consent of the occupier or owner, but in one
case, that of the bakehouse at 72A Winstanley Road, the owner
made an unsuccessful appeal to the magistrate for a certificate
under section 101, sub-section 6 of the Factory Act. An
account of this case, which is an important one, is given on
page 140. In 9 cases a new bakehouse above ground was
built by the owner or occupier on or near the same premises,
and in 7 cases the premises were closed or occupied for other
purposes.
In all cases where it appeared that the bakehouse could
be made suitable, a list of requirements was sent to the