View report page

So far it has not been necessary for the Minister to hold
any inquiries to hear objections to Smoke Control Orders in this
district; only one objection has been lodged and that was subsequently
withdrawn. In fact the only resistance to smoke control
which has been found, and even this has not been widespread,
has been the continued use of sticks and paper by a few people
for lighting fires in Smoke Control Areas. In some quarters
the amount of smoke emitted by lighting a fire with sticks and
paper is regarded as not worth bothering about, but it should
be remembered that there are approximately 35,000 fireplaces in
this district and a small quantity of smoke multiplied by that
figure makes an appreciable amount. There are also objections
on other grounds particularly because of the difficulty which
would be created in the enforcement of Smoke Control Orders. If
a Public Health Inspector saw smoke coming from a chimney (as
he frequently would if the use of sticks and paper were permitted)
he would, before taking any action, have to decide whether the
smoke was caused by lighting with sticks and paper or by the use
of some other unauthorised fuel. Inspectors would obviously
give themselves a safety margin and I am certain that many contraventions
would occur and go unchecked and it is surely futile
to make Smoke Control Orders unless it is intended to enforce
them. Fortunately a great many people have accepted the view
that with Smoke Control, as with most other activities, it is
worth while doing the job properly, particularly as there is a
clean, cheap, and simple alternative to sticks and paper.
At the beginning of the year an assistant with building
trade experience was appointed. His duties include detailed
surveys, inspecting adaptations prior to payment of grants,
dealing with queries arising from applications for approval of
proposals to adapt fireplaces and also a considerable part of
the clerical work associated with setting up Smoke Control Areas.
(b) Height of Chimneys.
Under Section 10 of the Clean Air Act, 1956, plans of new
industrial buildings deposited for byelaw approval must be rejected
if the height of any chimney shown on the plan is insufficient.
Such plans are passed to me by the Engineer and Surveyor
for a decision on this particular point, although it is usual
for consultations to take place with builders or architects before
plans are submitted.
28