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THE SHOPS ACT, 1934
This Act, which came into operation on the 30th December,
1934, contains provisions (1) for regulating the employment of
young persons under the age of 18 employed about the business of a
shop or in retail trade elsewhere, and in particular for limiting the
normal hours of employment of such young persons to 48 hours a
week (52 hours a week before 27th December, 1936) and (2) for
securing improved arrangements for the health and comfort of all
shop workers, adult and young persons alike.
The provisions of the Act relating to the employment of young
persons, the lighting of shops, the provision of washing facilities and
of facilities for meals are administered by the London County
Council.
The Metropolitan Borough Councils are the authorities responsible
for administering the provisions relating to ventilation and
temperature of shops and sanitary arrangements.
In every shop, unless it is specifically exempted, there must be
provided and maintained suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences.
A certificate of exemption may be granted if the
authority are satisfied that, by reason of restricted accommodation
or other suitable circumstances affecting the shop, such certificate
should be in force and that suitable and sufficient sanitary arrangements
are otherwise conveniently available.
The District Sanitary Inspectors have been authorised to act
as the responsible officers for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
During the year 417 Shops Act inspections were made and 12
notices were served and complied with.
RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919
The Sanitary Inspectors are the rat officers appointed by the
Council under the Act, and complaints as to infestation with rats
brought to their notice are investigated, and advice and assistance
given where necessary.
The number of complaints of rat and mice infestation received
during the year was 95, as compared with 61 the previous year.
On 16 occasions drains were exposed to trace rats. In addition,
poison baits were laid down, and 22 Notices served. It is found
in this borough that the best local measure of rat control is the
replacement of old and defective drainage systems by those of
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