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During the year under review 1,262 visits were paid to shops and, apart
from a number of minor infringements, which were dealt with, the
provisions of the Shops Act have been well observed.
During the year, forty-eight written notices were served and as a result
the following defects were remedied.
Lighting provided 31
Heating provided 12
Sanitary Accommodation provided 23
Sanitary Accommodation labelled 41
Washing facilities provided 50
Seats for shop assistants 5
Number of shops cleansed 64
Number of shops dealt with 78
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
This Act which came into operation on 1st November gave local
authorities greater power to control the type of filling material used for
upholstery and stuffing of bedding, toys, baby carriages, and such other
articles as may be prescribed by Regulation. The remaking or reconditioning
of any article is excluded from the provisions of the Act.
Two kinds of premises are defined in the Act:—
Registered premises are those where filling materials of the types
listed in Section 33 of the Act are used in manufacturing bedding, toys,
baby carriages and other articles of upholstery.
Licensed premises are those where rag flock is (a) manufactured
or (b) stored for distribution to registered premises.
The fee prescribed for licensing and registration is £1 in each case.
The local authority must register the premises on receipt of the requisite
fee. A licence may be issued after inspection and can be refused (subject
to appeal) only where arrangements are unsatisfactory.
The Act prohibits the use of prescribed filling materials for such purposes
as upholstery etc., on premises which are not registered, and it is
made an offence to sell a new article containing dirty material.
The Minister of Local Government and Planning has made Regulations
under various sections dealing with records, right to having samples
tested, standards of cleanliness and has prescribed certain analysts for the
purpose of testing samples. The kinds of filling materials, appropriate
tests and the method of sampling are also prescribed.
The Medical Officer of Health and the sanitary inspectors are expressly
made authorised officers for the purposes of the Act and are empowered
to enter and inspect registered and licensed premises and to take samples
of filling materials found therein. Samples must be submitted to an
analyst prescribed in the Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Regulations,
1951.
No licences have been issued and three registrations have been effected
under the Act.
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