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12
THE SHOPS ACT, 1934.
Under this Act, the Borough Council as Sanitary Authority is responsible for
the inspection of shops and warehouses in connection with (1) the provision of
suitable and adequate sanitary accommodation for the workpeople, (2) the
provision of proper ventilation, and (3) the maintainance of reasonable temperature.
During the period under review 110 shops were inspected. In 19 instances
notices were served in respect of contravention of the Act and in all cases the
defects were remedied, a considerable amount of work, calling in some cases for
a degree of reconstruction of premises, being done.
NUISANCES.
In the following summary some idea of the amount of work involved in dealing
with nuisances is given. For details of other works carried out by the inspectors,
reference must be made to the sections dealing with housing, food, infectious
diseases, etc.
In regard to nuisances, the first point to note is that the total number of
complaints received was 2,531, as against 2,473 in 1935. The majority of these
complaints were made by the inspectors themselves, though a certain number
came from other members of the Council's staff, from voluntary workers of the
St. Marylebone Health Society, members of the Children's Care Committee, neighbours
and others. In respect of nuisances, 22 statutory notices were issued, the
figure being 53 in 1935.
Of these notices, 6 related to ordinary nuisances (dirt, dampness, etc.), 3 to
verminous rooms, 4 to insufficient w.c. accommodation, 6 to defective drains,
and 3 under the Shops Act, 1934.
The 3 notices respecting verminous rooms were served under powers granted
by the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1922, and referred to fi
rooms. The number of notices in 1935 was 12.
In 2,509 cases the nuisances were abated by the persons responsible for their
removal after receipt of a preliminary (intimation) notice advising them of the
existence of the defect.