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was carried out and a report was submitted to the Divisional
Medical Officer with a view to action being taken by the Divisional
Education Officer.
Shops Act
As far as possible inspections have been made in respect of
the provision and maintenance of sanitary accommodation,
washing facilities, heating, lighting and ventilation in shops.
By arrangement with the Engineer & Surveyor, the Department
is given an opportunity of examining all plans submitted for the
construction of new shops or alteration of existing premises, with
a view to obtaining proper compliance with the requirements of
the Act. This is generally appreciated by shop developers who
are usually very willing to co-operate.
The Council is also the Authority responsible for enforcement
of the Shops Hours of Closing and Sunday Trading provisions of
the Act and routine surveys and inspections are carried out for
this purpose.
It would appear that on the question of closing hours for
shops it is now time that the Home Office considered bringing
up-to-date the law dealing with this vexed problem.
The Shops Act, 1950 which is the statute dealing with the
closing of shops is merely a consolidating Act dating back to 1912
and its provisions are now considered in many ways obsolete.
This has been emphasised by a recent decision of a well known
multiple firm to experiment with a five day week in a number of
their shops and it is hoped that the appropriate Government
department has taken note of the "wind of change" in shopping
habits and staffing conditions.
The Fabrics (Misdescription) Act, 1913
The Fabrics (Misdescription) Regulations 1959
The above mentioned Regulations which came into force on
the 11th May, 1959 prescribe new standards of non-inflammability
for textile fabrics to which is attributed the quality of noninflammability
or safety from fire or any degree of that quality.
During the year 18 shops were visited in pursuance of the
Regulations and in no case were goods stocked to which the Regulations
apply.
Enquiries as to why there was no apparent demand for fire
resistant textile fabrics disclosed in every case that the price factor
was the principle reason for this lack of interest.
Materials which have been treated to render them flameproof
or flame resistant are much more expensive and it would appear
that until the cost of processing is cut down considerably, a most
effective way of reducing burning accidents in the home will not
meet with the success it deserves.
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