View report page

and the majority do not burn the smokeless fuels satisfactorily. For these reasons
suitable appliances which have the merit of burning the fuel more efficiently have
to be installed.
There has been considerable support for smoke control from the general public
and the number of objections or criticisms has been remarkably small. Some
criticisms have concerned the availability of particular types of solid smokeless fuel.
Indeed, the rapid technological changes in the gas industry have meant that reduced
quantities of gas cokes are available. Additional smokeless fuels have been introduced
by the National Coal Board and the production of other carbonised fuels
has increased. Before the Minister will agree to the confirmation of a Smoke Control
Order, he must be satisfied that adequate supplies of smokeless fuels are available
in the area. So far as the solid smokeless fuels are concerned, this does not mean
ample supplies of all the different types but a sufficient supply of some suitable
varieties. Consequently, the customer may not be able to obtain the fuel of his
choice, but a suitable alternative will be available. Where solid fuels are preferred
householders are advised to install appliances which are capable of burning a wide
range of smokeless fuels.
Many people still refer to smokeless zones. The areas are Smoke Control
Areas and the effect of a Smoke Control Order is to require householders within
the area to burn " authorised " fuels. These are : anthracite, cokes, manufactured
smokeless fuels, e.g. Warmglo, Rexco, Coalite, etc., Welsh dry steam coal, electricity,
gas and oil. The Order deals only with fuels and the emission of smoke from
chimneys. This excludes the burning of garden rubbish and similar materials in
the open air, but action may be taken under other provisions of the Act if nuisance
is caused thereby.
Industrial Atmospheric Pollution
Although the borough contains several large industrial concentrations the
amount of smoke from these areas is comparatively small. The principal sources
of pollution are processes which are registered by the Alkali Inspectorate under the
provisions of the Alkali, Etc. Works Regulations Act, 1906. The processes originally
covered by this Act were mainly chemical plants but since that date the control has
extended to a wide range of industrial processes. These processes usually present
complex chemical problems and are known as "registered processes". They may
be the whole activity of a factory or merely one of several within the one establishment.
The enforcement of the provisions of the Act are the responsibility of the
Alkali Inspector with whom a close liaison is maintained concerning all registered
processes in the borough.
Factory chimneys are kept under observation and any emission of dark smoke
which exceeds the permissible limits is immediately dealt with. The discharge of
dark smoke from industrial chimneys usually arises from a mechanical mishap,
86