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37
Frequent inspections were made and measures to try to control the
nuisances insisted upon. Assistance was given to the department by
experts of the Natural History Museum in 1949. The firm, however,
succeeded in the Summer of that year in obtaining more suitable
premises elsewhere and the licence was not renewed.
Factories
A register of factories is maintained indicating those that are
designated 'Power' in relation to which the Council has few responsibilities
other than as to sanitary conveniences, and 'Non Power' in
which it has other specified duties. Full co-operation is maintained
with H.M. Inspector of Factories.
There has been a marked trend in post war years for the introduction
of mechanical power of various kinds into non power factories
thereby decreasing their number and increasing that of the power
factories.
The register of 'non power' factories is, however, difficult to
maintain accurately because technically it should include some shops
and other premises not normally regarded as factories and more conveniently
dealt with under other categories and also because some
premises may be temporarily converted into factories by the employment
in what might be described as a family or home business of one outsider
during a rush of work.
Unfortunately, due to shortage of staff, systematic inspection
has to some extent had to be relaxed for considerable periods in the
last ten years and has only been carried out as time and circumstances
have permitted or when complaints have been made. For this reason
undue significance must not be attached to statistical information and
no attempt is made to compare that submitted year by year.
Generally speaking it may be said that the standard of hygiene
and compliance with legal standards has been good and has been consistently
improving with the new buildings that are being constructed
and the modernisation of the older buildings which is taking place.