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64
We limit, therefore, our proposals for legislation to the Liverpool
provisions and to the requirement that the vendor shall exhibit the notice
above referred to, and we think that these provisions should be
administered by the Metropolitan Borough Councils.
Under the terms of the Standing Order we have consulted the Solicitor,
who thinks that, though the question is not free from doubt, upon the
whole the Council has power to spend money in promoting legislation in
the direction indicated. If the Council adopts our recommendations the
Parliamentary Committee will no doubt carefully consider whether any
or all of the powers desired can be obtained by a Clause in one of the
Council's Bills, or whether a Public Bill would be necessary to give effect
to our proposals. Before the Council can consider the question it will
be necessary to suspend the Standing Order, which requires proposals
for legislation next Session to be brought before the Council at its first
meeting in June. In submitting our proposals we have to point out that
we have not yet had time to consult the Borough Councils with regard
to them. We hope to enlist the sympathy and support of these bodies,
and accordingly suggest that a copy of this report be sent to each, with
an intimation that any suggestions they may make will be considered.
This Report seemed to be the most reasonable plan of dealing with the
subject, and I therefore advised that the London County Council be informed
that the Corporation would be prepared to co-operate with them in obtaining
a Bill for the purpose, on the understanding that within the City they (the
Corporation) should be the sole Authority for exercising the powers
thereunder.
This was agreed to, and the County Council were informed accordingly.
The London County Council (General Powers) Bill was subsequently
prepared, and contains, inter alia, the following Clauses:—
Any person being a manufacturer of or merchant or dealer in ice
creams or other similar commodity who within the County—
(a) Causes or permits ice creams or any similar commodity to be
manufactured, sold, or stored in any cellar, shed, or room in which
there is any inlet or opening to a drain, or which is used as a living
room or sleeping room;
(b) In the manufacture, sale, or storage of any such commodity
does any act or thing likely to expose such commodity to infection
or contamination, or omits to take any proper precaution for the due
protection of such commodity from infection or contamination; or
(c) Omits on the outbreak of any infectious or contagious disease
amongst the persons employed in his business or living, or working
in, on, or about the premises in or on any part of which any such