London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1956

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough.

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46
Section 19. (Railway engines). The emission of dark smoke
from railway locomotives is an offence under Section 1 of the Act.
Section 21. (Exemption for purposes of investigation and
research). A Local Authority, on application by an interested
person, may give exemption from the operation of the various
sections of the Act for the purpose of enabling investigations or
research relevant to the problem of air pollution to be carried out.
Exemption may be wholly or to a limited extent for a specified
period and subject to conditions. Provision is made for appeal
by interested persons to the Minister against the Local Authority's
decision.
Section 22. (Crown premises, etc.) This requires a Local
Authority to report emission of smoke, grit or dust from Crown
premises to the responsible Minister who shall then make an enquiry
into the circumstances, and if the cause for complaint is justified,
employ all practicable means to prevent or minimise the emission
or to abate the nuisance and prevent its recurrence.
Departmental duties. Observations and notifications to appropriate
Ministry.
Section 25. (Powers of Local Authorities as to research and
publicity). Local Authorities are given powers to undertake or
contribute towards the cost of relevant investigations and research.
It also empowers them to conduct publicity and educational work
by lectures, exhibitions, films, etc., and to prepare or contribute
towards the cost of preparation of the material required for this
work.
Departmental duties. If considered appropriate and useful, an
extensive and continuous campaign of education.
Section 30. (Duty to notify occupiers of offences). If an
authorised officer of an Authority considers than an offence is being
or has been committed with respect to dark smoke (Section 1),
smoke in a smoke control area (Section 11) or smoke which is a
nuisance (Section 16) he must, as soon as may be, notify the occupier
of the premises (which includes the owner of a railway locomotive
or person in charge of a vessel). If this notification is not in writing,
it must be confirmed in writing within 48 hours.
Section 34. (Interpretation). This section gives a precise
legal definition of certain terms included in the Act.