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moreover might savour of harshness on the part of a Local Authority in the
making of a closing order for part of newly-erected premises. In the particular
case in question after correspondence and interviews the plans were amended and
the underground rooms brought into conformity with the requirements. The
absence, however, of any statutory power to prevent such rooms being newly
constructed led the Housing of the Working Classes Committee to express the
view that architects and others proposing to construct basement rooms in
connection with new buildings should be required to submit for the approval of
the Local Authority complete plans with appropriate specification and a declaration
that the underground rooms proposed to be built would comply with all
enactments dealing with the use of basement rooms. If the construction of such
rooms cannot be entirely prevented it is not unreasonable to seek powers to ensure
that when completed they will comply with the minimum requirements for living
purposes.
The Council agreed with the views expressed by their Housing Committee
and adopted a resolution accordingly. Copies of the resolution were sent to the
Minister of Health, to the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee and
to the Councils of the Metropolitan Boroughs and larger provincial towns asking
them to take similar action.
Up to the present replies have been received from 42 Authorities, of these 33
supported the Holborn resolution, 9 disagree or decided to take no action.
FOOD.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.
By the provisions of the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, made under the Milk
and Dairies Consolidation Act, 1915, no person is allowed to carry on the trade
of a dairyman or use any premises as a dairy unless he and such premises are
registered with the local sanitary authority. Power is given to the sanitary
authority under the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, under certain
conditions to refuse to register a retail purveyor of milk or to remove such person
or premises from the register. In connection with the duties imposed on the
Council respecting registration, opportunity is taken before entering the premises
or the name of the applicant on the register to inspect the premises proposed
to be used for the dairy purpose, to ascertain whether they are suitable for the
sale of milk thereon. From time to time it has been necessary to postpone
registration pending the completion of works found to be required.
At the end of the year 1929, the number of registered dairies and milk shops
in the Borough was 127; 1 retail dairy or milkshop was newly registered and
3 were removed from the register on the closure of the businesses. In 2 cases
alterations in the register became necessary owing to change of ownership.
In addition to my inspections the Sanitary Inspectors made 83 inspections of
milk premises and it is satisfactory to record that it was not found necessary to
serve notice for sanitary defects or breach of the Orders in any case.