View report page

35
receipt of a request from the Public Health Inspector. The co-operation of the
London Fire Brigade in pumping out stagnant water from water tanks where
requested is appreciated.

Atmospheric Pollution.
Public Health (London) Act, 1936—Part V.
Clean Air Act, 1956.
Certain sections of the Clean Air Act, 1956, came into operation on 31st
December last year and consideration was given to the making of Smoke Control
Areas. Upon the preliminary surveys being completed, the Public Health Committee
agreed to recommend to the Council that the Minister of Housing and Local Government
be approached for approval in principle to the making of two Smoke Control
Areas in the borough. It is anticipated that the proposals will be forwarded to the
Minister early next year.
In the memorandum on Smoke Control Areas issued by the Minister the
implications and procedure relating to such areas are very fully explained. In
premises to which Smoke Control Orders apply it will be necessary for stool bottom
grates and the solid fuel appliances in which smokeless fuel cannot be burned
satisfactorily to be altered or replaced. In private dwellings other than new
dwellings, the greater part of the cost of the adaptations will be borne by the local
authority and the Exchequer.
In addition to the requirements relating to Smoke Control Areas other provisions,
including those relating to smoke from furnaces, the extension of the Alkali
and Works Regulations Act, 1906, to cover the emission of smoke, grit and dust
from premises controlled or to be controlled under that Act, colliery spoil banks and
the constitution of the Clean Air Council also came into operation on the 31st
December, 1957.
The Standing Conference of Co-operating Bodies for investigating atmospheric
pollution met on two occasions during the year.
During the year two petitions were received in respect of smoke nuisance from
a factory, which affected tenants of one of the Council's Housing estates. Upon
investigation and obtaining the co-operation of the Company concerned, the nuisance
from smoke ceased.
Over a considerable period complaints were received regarding the emission of
smoke from a laundry in the borough and although the management was most
co-operative the nuisance persisted. The company, at considerable expense, has now
demolished the chimney stack and installed modern oil-fired furnaces, and no complaints
have since been received and no nuisance observed.
The practice of sending letters to the owners of diesel engined lorries in cases
where dense smoke was emitted whilst the vehicle passed through the Borough
was continued. It is of some interest that 35 such letters were sent during the year
and in no single instance has the statement made by this Department as to smoke