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giving the person in control of the house a choice of action ; either
(a) to carry out works specified in the notice or (b) to reduce the
density of occupation, in which case possession of the whole or part
of the premises can be obtained notwithstanding the Rents Acts.
Under Section 90, the Council may, if it considers the numbers
of persons accommodated in a house let-in-lodgings to be excessive
having regard to the rooms available, serve on the person having
control of the said premises, a notice specifying the maximum number
of people permitted to occupy for sleeping purposes any room therein.
After the notice becomes operative an offence is committed if
any room is occupied contrary to the terms of such notice or where
persons of opposite sex over the age of 12 years and not living as man
and wife are allowed to occupy the same sleeping accommodation.
The Minister has expressed the view that no rigid code should
be applied but that all cases should be decided on their respective
merits.
Houses let-in-lodgings were visited on 17 occasions by the Public
Health Inspector and in no instance was it found necessary to serve
a notice.
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952.—In
pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by section five of the
above Act, the Secretary of State made Regulations to come into
operation on the 1st October, 1953. These Regulations require
fireguards to be fitted to gas fires, electric fires and oil heaters which
are so designed that they are suitable for use in residential premises
and are of such a type that, without a guard, there is a likelihood of
injury by burning. The standards of construction and fitting for
guards and the tests to be employed in ascertaining whether guards
comply with those standards, are set out in the Schedule. Regulation
4 gives an exemption from the Regulations in the cases of sales
for scrap.
Powers and duties of the Council under this Act have been
delegated to the Public Health Committee and inspections are
carried out by the Public Health Inspectors.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933.—This Act came into force
on 1st May, 1936, and has for its object closer control of the sale of
poisons and poisonous substances. Under it the Medical Officer of
Health and Public Health Inspectors are appointed to carry out the
provisions referred to in Part II of the Poisons List. These chiefly