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46
Shops Act, 1934.
Metropolitan Borough Councils are responsible for the administration
of the provisions of the Shops Act which deal with
ventilation, heating and the provision of sanitary conveniences.
The Sanitary Inspectors were appointed by the Council for the
purposes of this Act. During the year 1,184 shops were inspected
by these officers. In 28 instances exemption certificates were
granted by the Public Health Committee where it was found
impossible to provide suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences
for persons employed in lock-up shops and in other cases the
proprietors of shop premises have complied with the requirements
of the Act when requested. It was necessary to serve notices in
four cases requiring the provision of suitable and sufficient sanitary
accommodation at shop premises.
Smoke Abatement.
It is very doubtful whether the average individual realises the
extent to which the emission of smoke affects health and property.
The number of deaths from lung and heart disease is increased in
direct proportion to the intensity and duration of fogs.
The burning of coal in open grates in the homes of the people
is largely responsible for this nuisance ; in fact, the domestic fireplace
is still the greatest offender. If London is to be relieved of
its smoke pall its inhabitants must extend their use of gas and
electricity and smokeless fuels. The emission of smoke from
individual chimney shafts can be prevented by enforcing the provisions
of the Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926. The
number of complaints received of nuisances from smoke emission in
1935 was 20. The Sanitary Inspectors kept under observation
chimneys of factories in the Borough on 148 occasions during 1935, and
29 nuisances were recorded. It was necessary to serve 6 intimations
and in one instance a statutory notice requiring the abatement of a
nuisance from smoke emission. It is the practice to draw the
attention of offenders to nuisances discovered and to offer them
advice as to the method of preventing the emission of smoke and
grit. An instructional plate giving practical suggestions on the
subject of preventing the emission of smoke or grit from hand-fired
boilers has, in the past, been distributed to firms in the Borough
for the guidance of stokers. Following the receipt of a communication
from the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint
Committee the Council informed that body that they were of
opinion that legislation should be promoted by the Government to
deal with the question of smoke emission so as to ensure that all
the houses erected in the future should be of such design as would
obviate atmospheric pollution by the domestic fireplace.