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28
It is a matter of considerable importance that the local sanitary authority should be
responsible for the sanitation of ail places within its jurisdiction. This Hill, if passed into
law, would be the first piece of legislation which has removed any promises from the
sanitary control of a local authority; with the exception of buildings occupied by H.M..
Government in all branches, the hygienic arrangements of every building in its area comes
under the local sanitary authority.
When the Act establishing the Ministry of Health was passed it was contemplated that
all future steps would be in the direction of unifying and concentrating the duties and
powers concerning public health under the public health authority, in 1921 certain duties
relating to health enacted under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, were transferred
from the Home Office to the Ministiy of 1 ealth; at this time an official circular stated
that:—" it seems to the Minister that the enforcement of the provisions relating to
bakehouses can better be undertaken locally than centrally, especially as the work is
of the same character as that at present performed by the sanitary staff of lccal authorities
in relation to retail bakehouses uuder Section 102 of the Act of 1901." The proposals in the
Factory Bill go directly against this movement.
At the date of the preparation of this report it would appear that progress of the
measure is likely to be further postponed. it is essential in the meantime that local
authorities should takq every opportunity to express their views in order that there s':ould
bo no curtailment of their powers and duties in connection with the sanitary supervision
of factories and workplaces.
Underground Workshops.
Underground rooms are often used lor trade purposes, not only as store places,
but as workshops. The construction of many basements often interferes considerably
with their lighting and ventilation. As an example of this, reference can be
made to a basement found during last year occupied by a "misfit" tailor. The
basement room was used as a fitting "room and a vault under the footway was
used as a workroom. The W.C. was situated in the covered area between the
fitting room and the cellar workroom. The only ventilation provided for this
basement was by means of a small opening in the shop front over the W.C. There
was no natural light in the fitting room or the cellar workshop.
Improved ventilation was effected in this case by shutting off the W.C. from
the remainder of the basement and installing a suitable ventilating shaft with
electric fan to provide ventilation for the basement room and cellar workshop. No
improvement, however, could be effected in the light.
The use of such rooms as workshops can only be regarded as extremely
unsatisfactory.
Sanitary Condition of Offices.
The question of the sanitary supervision of offices is one of considerable
importance in an area such as Holborn, containing as it does a very large number
of professional and commercial offices. During the year 19.27, 136 separate offices
were inspected and it is satisfactory to report that in two cases only was it found
necessary to serve notices for the abatement of nuisances.
The question has been raised as to the powers possessed by Metropolitan Local
Authorities for the inspection and supervision of offices and the matter has, from
time to time, been considered by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint
Committee. A representation was made by that Committee to the Minister of
Health asking for the introduction of legislation definitely granting to Local