London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Islington 1947

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]

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22
Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
Emission of Smoke.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in enforcing the appropriate
provisions of this Act relevant to smoke nuisances during the year. The London
County Council has forwarded information conce-ning a number of observations
carried out by their Inspector in respect of certain Factories within the Borough,
and the firms concerned have been given details of these observations. In
addition, two Inspectors of this Department engaged on work in connection with
Factories, etc., have also made a number of observations and where necessary,
Notices have been served. The various Factory owners have, almost without
exception, replied to the effect that they are unable to ensure that no nuisance
occurs owing to the very poor quality of the fuel supplied to them.
In addition, difficulty has been experienced in regard to the stoking of the furnaces>
partly because many of the stokers have had limited experience in this work.
While appreciating these difficulties, the Department, has, through its Inspectors,
endeavoured to assist wherever possible either by giving personal advice to the
engineers or stokers or by communicating with the Ministry of Fuel and Power
supporting the application of the various firms for a supply of a higher grade coal.
In some cases the furnaces have been converted in order to burn oil fuel and this has
so far proved to be a satisfactory method of abating the nuisance.

Summary of Work done by District Sanitary Inspectors.

During the year 31,542 inspections (including re-inspections) were carried out by the District Sanitary Inspectors, made up as follows :—

House to house inspections1,413
Other premises inspected8,602
Re-inspections, calls made, etc.21,527
31,542
Special Matters dealt with when making the above visits—
Urinals attached to Public Houses29
Premises for Foster children12
Premises re vermin463
Premises re Rats and Mice207
Premises re Water Certificates247
Non-effective visits3,590
Notices served—Intimation (Public Health (London) Act, 1936)7,134
Notices served—Statutory (Public Health (London) Act, 1936)1,107
Rent and Mortgage Restrictions Acts. 1920, etc.
Certificates applied for251
Certificates issued230
Certificates refused20
Balance to 19481
Clearance Certificates applied for53
Clearance Certificates granted34
Clearance Certificates refused19