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provisions as to premises used for sale, etc., of food for human consumption are contained in Section 181 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936. Paintwork is required to be washed down and limewashing
renewed once at least in every six months. It has been our practice
for many years past to supply cards of foolscap size to occupiers of
bakehouses on which are entered the dates and details of cleansings,
etc. On these cards, which are exhibited in the bakehouses, are printed
the clauses of Section 181 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
and extracts from the Third Schedule of the Factories Act, 1937.
Underground bakehouses.—These were specially dealt with by
the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, and no such bakehouse was
allowed to be used unless certified by the Council to be suitable for
that purpose. This was the first occasion that underground bakehouses
were required to be certified as suitable, and it is interesting to note
that the Medical Officer of Health reported in 1903:—
"From personal inspection, as well as from the reports of
the Inspectors, I am satisfied that much has still to be done to
ensure that the making of bread, confectionery, etc., and the
processes incidental thereto, shall be carried on under proper
hygienic conditions.
Such important matters as ventilation and lighting have been
in many instances neglected, while general cleanliness, whether of
the bakehouse itself or of its sanitary arrangements, appears to
have in most instances been considered one of little importance.
Bakehouses, especially those in connection with dwelling houses,
have been employed for the storage of all kinds of unnecessary
stores, and in some instances they were also used as a family
washhouse."
In consequence of the Act of 1901, some of the underground bakehouses were closed, i.e., in certain instances the Council refused to
grant the necessary certificates; while in some cases the occupiers transferred their baking business to more suitable rooms above the ground
level, or voluntarily closed the bakehouse.
The Factories Act of 1937 provides that any basement bakehouse
which, for a period exceeding one year, is not used as a bakehouse,
may not be so used again. It is further provided that the Council