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of houses where these birds nest are similarly fouled. During nesting their incessant cooing gives
rise to noise nuisance. Almost invariably feeding by members of the public is the cause of pigeons
congregating, whilst the remains of food fed to them attract rats, mice and flies.
During the year, 64 complaints were dealt with by the Public Health Inspectors and the Rodent
Officer who gives advice where the use of repellants is proposed.
Radioactive Substances Act, 1960
This Act came into operation on 1st December, 1963; persons who keep or use radioactive materials
are, unless exempted, required to register with the Minister of Housing and Local Government and
to obtain his authorization for the accumulation or disposal of radioactive waste.
Certificates of registration issued under Section 1 of the Act and authorization under Sections 6
and 7 (in regard to accumulation or disposal) have been issued by the Minister in respect of 29 premises
in the City.
Town Planning
Observations were made by the Department on 83 plans submitted to the Council under the Town
and Country Planning Act, 1947.
Clean Air
As regular routine samples of food, drugs and water are taken, so also is the City's air monitored.
Daily measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide are taken at seven stations throughout the City,
and the deposition of the larger dust and grit particles is measured monthly by means of deposit
gauges at another four stations. In addition to providing useful local information on the level of
atmospheric pollution, returns from all these stations are forwarded each month to the Warren Spring
Laboratory of the Ministry of Technology as the Council's contribution to the National Survey of
Atmospheric Pollution.
The City Council's smoke control areas programme is proceeding according to schedule and it is
gratifying to record that the amount of smoke in the City's atmosphere is less than half what it was
when this programme was embarked upon. Three smoke control orders came into operation during the
year:— Paddington (Harrow Road North), St. Marylebone No. 8 and Westminster (South); and the
Council made a further order, the Westminster (Harrow Road South) Smoke Control Order which
was submitted for confirmation to the Minister of Housing and Local Government. The map on the
opposite page shows the position regarding smoke control areas in the City.
All undue emissions of smoke observed, or reported to the Department, are investigated and
appropriate action taken. New boiler installations notified to the Council under Section 3 of the Clean
Air Act, 1956 are investigated to ensure that (a) they are capable of operating smokelessly and (b)
the flue gases are discharged so as not to inconvenience persons working and living nearby. During
1965 a total of 75 such notifications were received.
Housing Acts 1957-1964
Details are set out in the following pages, under appropriate headings, relating to certain aspects of
the Health Department's work in connection with the Housing Acts. It might not be inappropriate,
however, to make two general points.
The scope of Housing Act legislation has widened greatly over the years, not only in the powers
embraced but, far more so, in the extent of its application. Thirty years ago it was possible to point
to large areas on a map where little or no action need be expected under Housing Act legislation.
Today it might be said without too much exaggeration that some action could be taken on almost
any house in the City. An interesting anomaly which has resulted from recent legislation is that in
certain respects a higher standard of amenities can be enforced in houses in multiple occupation than
can be achieved by statutory action in houses occupied by one family.
It is unfortunate that the large volume of work carried out as a result of informal action cannot be
adequately demonstrated to show the full extent of the Health Department's work. There is still a
majority of property owners who take their responsibilities seriously and respond to an informal
approach by the Public Health Inspector. There is, however, always a hard core who will only respond
to legislative action. If an owner is able by delaying action to evade his legal responsibilities, not only
does the reputation of the Council suffer but the morale of the officers concerned also suffers. Legal
prosecution in the relatively few cases where this is necessary must therefore be undertaken promptly
if such a course is to be effective. (See Table 16, page 59.)
Housing Act Inspectorate
Four Senior Public Health Inspectors were appointed by the former Paddington Borough Council
to implement Part II of the Housing Act, 1961 and subsequently Parts II & IV of the Housing Act,