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average concentration of smoke during the 72 hours continuous period of fog in 1956 was, as might
be expected, very much higher than the average for 24 hours, the longest continuous period experienced
in 1955, though the difference in sulphur dioxide concentration was not nearly so marked.
In order to obtain information upon which the Council might decide their policy regarding smoke
control areas, it was arranged for a " sample survey" to be made of existing furnaces and
fireplaces and of the types of fuel used. For this purpose, in December, two temporary assistants
were engaged and, working under the general direction of a Public Health Inspector, they visited
representative premises in the proportion of about 1 in 10 in those parts of the Borough which appeared
to be the most suitable for a smoke control area.
Now that the problem of atmospheric pollution is so much to the fore and, at long last, this menace
to health is fully recognised and measures are being taken to combat it on a nation-wide scale, it is
interesting to note that in the report of Dr. Thomson, the first Medical Officer of Health of St.
Marylebone, referred to on page 2, he writes of a dense fog which occurred on the 29th October, 1856.
" It was characterized by a nearly freezing temperature which condensed the atmospheric vapour—
a yellow tinge, due, as was obvious to the sense of smell, in some measure to the presence of smoke
and a thorough cessation of all currents of air. It is much to be desired that the excellent invention
of Dr. Arnott, the open fire-place without smoke, should be generally adopted, as it would banish this
impurity from the atmosphere."
During the year, 39 complaints of smoke, grit or fumes were received. Inspection was made of 113
premises, either because of a complaint or as routine, and after informal personal contact with
managements or boilerhouse staff cessation or reduction of smoke emission was effected in nearly all
cases. There seemed to be a growing realisation on the part of those concerned with the operation
of furnaces and boilers of their responsibilities for ensuring a minimum of smoke emission. Boilerhouse
personnel seemed to be aware of the seriousness of causing air pollution and managements, who were
generally very co-operative, were, where appropriate, recommended to seek assistance from the
National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service.
Factories.
A report on the administration by the Department of matters under Parts I and VIII of the Factories
Act, 1937, is given in Tables 11 and 12 on page 35.
The number of factories on the register at the end of the year was 1,794, an increase of 25 over last
year. The defects and unsatisfactory conditions found (265) showed a further decrease on the numbers
discovered in recent years, and again the greater proportion related to want of cleanliness of workrooms
and unsuitable or defective sanitary accommodation. There were still many complaints about
noise from industrial premises, most of which related to building and demolition work. Once again,
by unofficial action and with the willing co-operation of the contractors concerned, most of the
difficulties were overcome.
Offices and Shops.
In the Annual Report for last year attention was drawn to the unsatisfactory state of legislation
affecting working conditions in offices and shops and reference was made to the recommendations
of the Gowers Committee. These recommendations concerned particularly the introduction of standards,
mainly on the lines of the Factories Act, for sanitary accommodation, space, ventilation, temperature,
lighting, cleanliness, accommodation for clothing, seats, safeguards against dangerous machinery,
first aid equipment, escape from fire, restriction as to the use of underground rooms as workplaces,
facilities for washing and for taking meals, the prohibition of the employment of women within seven
weeks after childbirth and the prohibition of the lifting of excessive weights by women.
Whilst there is no evidence that the general standards observed in offices and shops in St.
Marylebone is lower than in other comparable districts, the absence of adequate legislation makes
it difficult to ensure satisfactory conditions for all those engaged in this class of occupation. It is,
for example, doubtful whether routine inspection of offices, as distinct from enquiries based upon
specific complaints, can legally be made under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. The division of
responsibility regarding conditions in shops, between the London County Council and the Metropolitan
Borough Councils, also has serious disadvantages. For these reasons it is regretted that the
recommendations of the Gowers Committee have not been implemented and that the many thousands
of workers in offices and shops are still not legally protected, to at least Factory Acts standards, in
matters of health, welfare and safety whilst at work.