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principal recommendations in the report of the Committee on Air Pollution, has
four main purposes :—
(1) to prohibit the emission of dark smoke from chimneys, railway engines and
vessels, subject to certain qualifications ;
(ii) to prohibit the installation of new industrial furnaces unless they are
capable, so far as practicable, of being operated without emitting smoke ;
(iii) to require that the emission of grit and dust from existing industrial furnaces
shall be minimised, and that new industrial furnaces burning pulverised fuel
or large quantities of other solid fuel shall be provided with grit-arresting
equipment;
(iv) to empower local authorities by Order, subject to confirmation by the
Minister concerned, to declare "smoke'control areas" in which the emission
of smoke from chimneys will constitute an offence.
The Bill has been the subject of much discussion. Until new legislation is made
the powers given to the Council in the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, are
being implemented.
Inspectors are well aware of the harmful effects of a smoke laden atmosphere.
Technical and practical advice is given to stokers, factory owners and other staff
concerned, in order that furnaces may be fired efficiently without giving rise to a
smoke nuisance. These visits and the advice given are appreciated by the factory
staff, who have co-operated with this department in no small way, in order to keep
the air clean and free from smoke pollution. This view is supported by the fact
that, although more complaints were received and the Inspectors made more
observations and visits than the previous year, the number of notices required to be
served was less.
Number of complaints received during year 54
Number of observations 477
Number of inspections and revisits 368
Number of notices served 8
Number of notices complied with 10
Recording of Atmospheric Pollution.
A summary of the observations at the three stations in the Borough is as
follows:—