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39
In circular 28/61, the Minister reminds local authorities of the need of drawing the
attention of householders in smoke control areas, to the importance of installing firebars
sufficiently widely spaced to enable Coke to be burned satisfactorily. In appropriate cases
the replacement of firebars, with ones more suitable for coke burning can rank for grant
Now that electrical ignition has been developed, the Minister in circular 31/61 states
that the necessary incidental works which originally included the provision of gas ignition
to open fireplaces, and extensions of gas piping or electric cable, may now include a
reference to electrical means of igniting coke and other smokeless fuels Reasonable freedom
of choice between gas and electrical ignition should be given to owners or occupiers, pro
vided that in any particular case the total cost of the alternatives is broadly comparable.
The Minister drew attention in circular 42/61, to the fact that the provisions of the
Section 2 of the Clean Air Act, which provides a defence against prosecution under Section 1
where dark smoke has been emitted from the chimney of any industrial furnace will expire
5th Julyy 1963 Those concerned have been reminded that time is beginning to run out
In order that the Department and in particular the Inspectors concerned with the duties
under the Clean Air Act may be kept fully supplied with up to date information the Council
during the year agreed to take advantage of the Clean Air Information Service of the College
of Fuel Technology This has already proved advantageous to the Inspectors in the implementa
tion of the Act
The Council authorised the attendance of one of the Technical Assistants engaged on
smoke control areas at a three day course held by the Coal Utilisation Council. This course
is arranged in order that those concerned may become fully acquainted with approved
appliances and the correct method of fixing same in order to comply with the statutory
requirements
In 1959 the Council submitted details of its provisional programme for establishing smoke
control areas Since that date two Technical Assistants have been engaged to assist the
inspectors responsible for duties under the Clean Air Act including work relative to smoke
control areas It has therefore been found that the programme can be accelerated, and the
revised programme, which again can only be regarded as provisional,is shown on the map which
appears opposite page 36,
The Minister in circular 12/61 drew attention to the co operative scheme for the measure
ment of air pollution The essence of the scheme is the collation of measurements of air pollu
tion of different kinds made by local authorities in various parts of the country and the pub
lication by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research of results in a monthly
bulletin which is distributed to the participating bodies The Council is already giving
assistance in this matter and in addition to the three sites which are already being used for
recording atmospheric pollution, arrangements were made during the year under review with
Dr. S G Burgess London County Council Scientific Adviser, in conjunction with the Warden
for daily volumetric apparatus to be fitted at Hillside, St John's Way This instrument is
capable of automatic 4 hour sampling during smog, and shorter period samples can be taken in
exceptional circumstances by manual operation Readings commenced in July and details are made
available to the Department
During the year four smoke control orders were made and confirmed viz No?, 2 & 3,
Canonbury and 2 & 3 North Islington All become operative next year
The Council is represented on the London and Home Counties Clean Air Advisory Council by
Councillor L Ross, and the Medical Officer of Health