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45
Simpler apparatus for sampling flue gases and determin—
ing grit emission.
Recognition of stoking as a skilled occupation.
Government Loan Scheme to be extended to cover
installation of pollution-reducing equipment.
Tax exemption on cost of new equipment designed to
prevent smoke and grit emission.
Efficient methods to be adopted to remove sulphur from
flue gases at power stations.
Change over from steam to diesel locomotives to be
accelerated.
Control of pollution by motor vehicles.
Progressive extension of smokeless areas and the
increase of supplies of smokeless fuels.
Standards for solid domestic fuels.
Employment by Local Authorities of adequate and
well-trained smoke-control staff.
Co-ordination of Local Authorities in smoke prevention.
&c.
The Government have already announced that it accepts the
principles embodied in the Beaver Report and legislation to deal
with the matter is now before Parliament in the form of a Clean
Air Bill, the terms of which are eagerly awaited.
In common with other Metropolitan Boroughs and as a means of
obtaining more local information, the Council authorised the estab—
lishment of two stations for the measurement of atmospheric
pollution ; one at the Town Hall and the other at Charlton House.
Due to delay in the delivery of apparatus, neither station will
be able to function until next year.
As in previous years I am indebted to Dr. Wilkins, Officer inCharge
of the Atmospheric Pollution Section of the Government Fuel
Research Station at Blackwall Lane, for permission to make use of
data compiled at the Station.
It would appear from the following tables that pollution of the
atmosphere by smoke, grit and sulphur dioxide during 1954 was
somewhat less than the two preceding years—a favourable trend
which perhaps indicates the value and effect of the publicity afforded
to this vital problem :—