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conditions in shops, although in London responsibility is divided between the County Council and the
Metropolitan Borough Councils. The Gowers Committee recommended that section 10 (dealing with
sanitary and other provisions in shops) of the Shops Act, 1934 should be enforced in London by the
metropolitan boroughs, and although a further Shops Act was introduced in 1950, that recommendation
has not yet been implemented.
With regard to offices, there are no specific requirements as to lighting, temperature, or facilities
for washing or for taking meals, all of which have a direct bearing on health. In London, it is even
doubtful whether routine inspection of offices (as distinct from inspections based upon specific
complaints) can be legally carried out under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
It is therefore hoped that the recommendations of the Gowers Committee will soon be implemented
to provide this vast body of workers with a standard of conditions, at least equal to that of the
Factories Acts, to safeguard their health whilst at work.
Fireguards.
Inspection.—The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952 came fully into effect on the 1st
October, 1954, and from that date all domestic heating appliances exposed for sale, sold or let under
a hire purchase agreement or on hire must be fitted with a guard complying with regulations made
under the Act. During the year, inspection under the provisions of the Act continued, not without
some difficulty, however, because of the frequent absence of readily available power, fuel or gas supply,
etc. at the traders' premises, the necessity for breaking manufacturers' seals and the fact that the
lengthy process of a full test spoils to some extent the immaculate new appearance of the appliances.
When the first tests were made, about half of the appliances were below the prescribed standard and
traders were warned not to sell or otherwise dispose of them until adequate guards had been fitted and
approved. As time went on there was a marked improvement so that by the end of the year comparatively
few heaters were found not to comply with the requirements. Of eighteen which failed to
satisfy the prescribed test all but five were second-hand and the main fault was inadequate guards.
Accidents in the Home.—Although the Act now prohibits the sale of inadequately protected electric,
gas and oil heaters, it is estimated that about five million such appliances were already in use before
this legislation became effective. Most of these are dangerous and, in conjunction with an estimated
twelve million unguarded solid fuel fires in use, present a constant menace, contributing to the high
incidence of accidents and deaths from accidents which occur in the home. Apart from the vast
number of people injured, an average of 24 people are killed in their homes every day ; that is, ten
more than are killed on the roads. This startling state of affairs is one of which few people seem to be
aware ; in 1954, there were 5,010 deaths on the roads whilst 7,723 deaths resulted from accidents in
the home. Most of the latter could have been prevented and efforts should be made by the authorities
concerned to make every householder realise the urgent need to take all possible precautions to reduce
these appalling figures.
Hairdressers and Barbers.
Under section 18 of the London County Council General Powers Act, 1954, no person may carry
on the business of a barber or hairdresser at premises in the Borough unless he and the premises are
registered by the Borough Council. Byelaws governing the conduct of these establishments and
designed to ensure cleanliness of the staff, equipment and premises made by the Borough Council
under section 18 (4) of the Act came into operation on the 1st April, 1955. Notice was given in the
Press and a letter explaining the new requirements was sent to all known hairdressers and barbers in
the Borough. In the first instance, registration is automatic and by the end of the year 110 applications
had been made. All the premises concerned were visited by the sanitary inspectors and conditions
generally have been found to be reasonably satisfactory. Where necessary, however, advice and
guidance have been given to the applicants and supervision will be kept to ensure that satisfactory
standards are maintained. A large proportion of the registrations are in respect of women's hairdressers
and these premises are normally visited by one of the women sanitary inspectors.
Pet Shops.
The Pet Animals Act, 1951, provides for a system of inspection and annual licensing of pet shops
by local authorities, a fee of 10s. being payable for each licence, eleven of which were issued during
the year. A few of the licensees keep puppies and other mammals for sale but mostly they deal in
cage birds, goldfish and tropical fish. The premises concerned were kept under observation by the
sanitary inspectors and the stalls licenced to sell pets in the street markets were inspected weekly.
Conditions under which the livestock were kept appeared to be satisfactory.