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Sanitary control—as now administered.
Under existing Acts the provisions relating to the sanitary conditions of workshops,
cleanliness, overcrowding, ventilation, and the drainage of floors, are enforced in the first
instance by the Local Sanitary Authority, and not by the Factory Inspectors. In the case
of factories, the Factory Inspectors are responsible. The provisions as to sanitary conveniences
in factories and workshops axe also enforced by the sanitary authorities.
Sanitary Authority's control to be transferred to Factory Inspector.
Under the Bill of 1924 all these provisions were to be made enforceable by the Factory
Inspectors, except in any factory in which mechanical power was not used and which formed
part of a dwelling or shop, or which was adjacent to a dwelling house or shop, in the same
occupation. In these instances, which are few in number and of comparatively slight
importance, the local sanitary authority would still have been the responsible administrative
body. In other instances, it was proposed that the Secretary of State might arrange for the
enforcement of the provisions of the Act in any factory in which mechanical power was not
used, by the sanitary authority instead of by the Factory Inspector.
Workshops (factories) in dwelling houses. Dual inspection.
Many workshops, which would be factories under the definition of the 1924 Bill are
situate in or adjacent to tenement houses, although these workshops are not "in the same
occupation" as the part of the house used for dwelling purposes. The enactment of a
measure on the lines of the 1924 Bill would result in inspection and supervision of part of
such houses by the Factory Inspectors, and part by the Local Sanitary Authority.
Supervision of Drainage work—apart from Factory Law.
Under the existing law all drainage work and the construction or reconstruction of all
sanitary conveniences have to be carried out under the supervision and to the satisfaction of
the local authority. The suggested transfer to the Factory Inspector of control respecting the
sanitary condition of factories would not remove this responsibility but might complicate
this important branch of the work of local authorities by unnecessary overlapping.
Food Factories.
It may also be mentioned that the work carried on in a large number of factories and
workshops is connected with the preparation, manufacture, or packing of various foods. The
supervision of such places so far as the food is concerned is a responsible duty of the loca
authority; it would seem desirable that the sanitary conditions under which the work is done
should remain under the control of the authority responsible for securing the purity of
the food.
Bill creates startling precedents.
It appears to be a matter of very considerable importance that the Sanitary Authority
should be responsible for the sanitation of all places within its jurisdiction.
This is the first piece of legislation which has removed any premises from the sanitary
control of a local authority. With the exception of buildings occupied by H.M. Government
in all branches, the hygienic arrangements of every building in an area come??? under the
Local Council.
When the Act establishing the Ministry of Health was passed it was contemplated that
all future steps would be in the direction of unifying and concentrating the duties and
powers concerning Public Health under the Public Health Authority. In 1921 certain
duties relating to health enacted under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, were transferred
from the Home Office to the Ministry of Health; at this time an official circular
stated that "it seems to the Minister that the enforcement of the provisions relating to
bakehouses can better be undertaken locally than centrally, especially as the work is of the
same character as that at present performed by the sanitary staff of local authorities in
relation to retail bakehouses under Section 102 of the Act of 1901." The proposals in the
Factory Bill of 1924 go directly against this movement.