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pared without danger to the public health; and to ensure, on the
other hand, a minimum amount of injustice (if any at all) being
done to the occupiers, and owners, of such Bakehouses. In proportion
as a Bakehouse is underground, the difficulties, both
structural and administrative, in securing therein proper ventilation,
lighting, cleanliness, and freedom from nuisance, increase,
so that the subject requires careful consideration. Structural
alterations and amendments will have to be suggested and carried
out, and it is clear that, in justice to the Trade, such suggestions
must be of a practical nature, and must have reference to pe¬r
manency, as the certificate once given is for all time, and will
be of the nature of a permanent guarantee of the suitability of
the particular Underground Bakehouse certified. It must be
borne in mind that with such certificate, the occupier (and
owner) of a certified Underground Bakehouse will be able to,
metaphorically, "snap the fingers .. at the Sanitary Authority, in
whose district the particular bakehouse happens to be situated.
It is to be regretted that the Act does not provide for such certificates
being renewable at stated intervals.
Some sort of uniformity of action amongst Sanitary Authorities
throughout the Country is highly desirable, though, on the other
hand, a standard adopted in one district would not necessarily,
in every respect, suit another. In the same way, a series of
requirements drawn up by one Authority ought not to be assumed
to be binding upon another Authority. Different Authorities
may regard their statutory duties from different standpoints, and
even Medical Officers of Health vary somewhat as to what they
consider a fair sanitary standard. A sanitarily progressive town
(e.g., Manchester, Glasgow or Liverpool) ought not to be bound
by a standard which might be adopted by less progressive places.
Local conditions and local methods of administration must count
for something, and local standards must be fixed. In other
words, it will, in practice, be found that each Authority will have
to act for itself, and its Underground Bakehouses be considered,
and dealt with, on their individual merits.
There are, however, certain requirements common to all
Underground Bakehouses, whether situated in the County of
London or elsewhere,—requirements about which there can be
no difference of opinion. These may be called "General Requirements,"
and should, in my opinion, be adopted by all
Sanitary Authorities.
There are, in addition, other Requirements which may be
called "Special," having reference to important structural alterations
and amendments. These "Special Requirements" will
naturally vary with different Underground Bakehouses, and can