View report page

In 1965, this Council, in its wisdom, resolved that new licences would not be granted
for the sale in the open air of Meat, Poultry, Fish, Bread, Confectionery and Sweets i.e.
as open food. Ultimately, this will result in all these commodities being sold only if
pre-packed, albeit progress will be slow,
A joint consultative committee comprising Street Traders' representatives and members
of the Health Committee has been formed and meetings are held from time to time, when
traders discuss their problems.
Imported Food Inspection
On the 1st August, 1968, the Imported Food Regulations, 1968 came into operation; the
first complete change in the laws concerned with the supervision of imported food for 20
years.
The new Regulations have taken into account the remarkable change that has recently
occurred in the transport of imported food by means of containers, which has revolutionised
the whole system of food imports and exports, also resulting in inland authorities
having a responsibility for the inspection and supervision of imported food,
The number of forms and letters required under the 1968 Regulations has increased
considerably, but it is generally agreed that, whilst not perfect, the Regulations are
a great improvement on the 1937 - 1948 Regulations which they have superseded.
In preparation for the operation of the new Regulations, new forms were devised and
a review of the Regulations in comparison with the old Regulations was undertaken after
considerable discussion and consideration by officers of the Port of London Health
Authority and the London Riparian Authorities
Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963
Although few complaints have been made by employees, numbers of anonymous queries are
received from staff reluctant to disciose their identities or the addresses of their places
of work. Evidently many employees in offices and shops are now aware of the protection
afforded them by the Act, but, unfortunately, they hesitate to report bad conditions,
because, being members of small staffs, they fear incurring their employers' displeasure.
An interesting difficulty frequently occurs in enforcing Section 16 of the Act. It
was found that numbers of premises situated on, or entered from, roads designated
"Clearways" had their internal passageways obstructed by cartons, cases, packages, etc.
stacked ready for dispatch. When occupiers of such premises were informed of the
contravention of the Act, they pointed out that they had no alternative but to stack
goods in the vicinity of the door, because it was essential for goods to be transferred
to and from vehicles as speedily as possible. Vehicles on "Clearways" are legally
permitted a period of only 20 minutes a day to load or unload, so that occupiers of
premises adjoining a "Clearway" experience great difficulty in not contravening one or
other of the laws If they stack goods as described, the Offices, Shops and Railway
Premises Act 1963 is contravened; if they stack elsewhere on the premises, loading or
- 50