London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Holborn 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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32
Installation of New Furnaces
In twelve cases notice was received under subsection (3) of section 3 of the Clean Air
Act, 1956 of a proposal to instal a furnace in the Borough.
Smoke Control Areas
On 1st December, 1962, the Holborn Smoke Control Order No. 6 became operative,
and with it Holborn became the first borough to be completely controlled under the Clean
Air Act. To mark the occasion a press conference attended by Sir Keith Joseph, Minister
of Housing and Local Government was held on 3rd December, 1962. The Minister
congratulated the borough on completing its smoke control programme, when other
local authorities were not so far forward.
The borough's first smokeless zone was a voluntary one created in 1956 in the area
around Lincoln's Inn. In the following year the Clean Air Act came into force and the
Council decided that the whole borough should eventually be smoke controlled, the date
set for completion being 1968. The fact that the target was reached in half that time
reflects great credit upon the department's clerical and technical staff, and also upon the
excellent co-operation between the Ministry, the Council, and the general public. Nearly
7,000 private dwellings were inspected of which about a third were considered to require
the adaptation of a fireplace. In fact, only about half of that number of applications
were received and the total cost of approved works is about £12,000.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933
This Act, the Poisons Rules, 1962, and the Poisons List Order, 1952/62, regulate
the sale of poisons, and every local authority is required to keep a list of persons who are
entitled to sell poisons included in Part II of the Poisons List.
During the year 1962, 32 applications were received for retention on this Council's
list. Two applications were received for entry on the list.
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951
This Act and the Regulations of 1951, require the registration of premises where
specified filling materials are used in connection with certain upholstering and filling
processes, and require premises used for the manufacture or storage of rag flock to be
licensed.
Four premises in the Borough are registered under the Act, but no premises are
licensed for the manufacture or storage of rag flock.
| Houses included in clearance areas | Nil |
| Houses included in clearance areas and demolished | Nil |
| Houses repaired as a result of action under Sees. 9 and 10 | Nil |
| Houses made the subject of demolition orders | Nil |
| Houses demolished as a result of demolition orders | Nil |
| Houses made the subject of closing orders | 2 |
| Parts of buildings made the subject of closing orders | Nil |
| Parts of buildings closed by undertaking | Nil |
| Underground rooms made the subject of closing orders | 4 |
| Underground rooms closed by undertaking | Nil |
| Closing orders determined | Nil |
| No. of flats erected by the Council during the year | 21 |