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After the operative date it will be an offence, punishable by fine, for the occupier
of any building of any kind in the Smoke Control Area to allow smoke to be emitted.
The fuels authorised for use in Smoke Control Areas are gas cokes and hard cokes,
anthracite, low-volatile steam coal, electricity, gas, Coalite, Phurnacite, Rexco and
other so-called premium fuels. Oil-burning appliances may also be used on certain
conditions.
The total estimated cost of the works involved in replacing or adapting the 1,278
fireplaces at present in regular use in the area will be £14,750. 5s. 0d., of which the
owner or occupier - whoever does the work - will bear three-tenths and the Leyton Borough
Council seven-tenths, but the latter contribution will be the subject of Exchequer
Grant. The letters to be sent by the Council to owners and tenants of affected premises
will include full information as to the conditions under which grants will be made,
together with a schedule of the works required at the particular premises and a form
of application for the approval of works of adaptation which the owner or occupier
wishes to carry out to enable that person to comply with the requirements of the Order.
When the application has been approved by the Council the works may then be carried out,
and upon their completion to the satisfaction of the Council the grant will be paid.
It is important to note, however, that a grant may only be paid by the Council if
the expenditure is incurred during the period between the confirmation of the Order and
its coming into operation OR, alternatively, as a result of the service of a statutory
notice by the Local Authority.
Mobile exhibitions will be arranged within the Smoke Control Area for the purpose
of displaying approved appliances, some of which will be shown in use. These exhibitions
will be supplemented by similar displays at the shop premises at 280 High Road, Leyton,
adjoining the Council's Public Health Department.
For present-day national needs a detailed knowledge of atmospheric pollution
arising from the distribution of smoke and sulphur dioxide in urban areas throughout
the country is required, both in connection with 'Clean Air* legislation and for medical
studies of the effect of air pollution on health. It is therefore pleasing to report
that the Standing Conference of Local Authorities, of which Leyton is one, and other
Organisations co-operating with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
in the investigation of atmospheric pollution has accepted a recommendation from a
specialist working Party, set up by the D.S. I. R. to advise on the details of the changes
that should be introduced in its present co-operative scheme, for a national survey of
air pollution. The aim of this national survey is to provide the objective standard we
need by which we can judge the progress made towards Clean Air throughout the country.
Leyton has been co-operating with the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research for twelve years, and the Council is represented on the Standing Conference
and on the London and Home Counties Clean Air Advisory Council by the Chairman of the
Public Health Committee, Alderman Mrs.Burrell, and the Chief Public Health Inspector.
The results of the daily measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide, as recorded by
the volumetric apparatus installed in the department, are set out in detail in the
statistical section of the report (pages 38-39).
6,038 visits and inspections were made under the Clean Air Act in connection with
the establishment of Smoke Control Areas, observations of factory chimneys, inspection
of boiler installations, advice to boiler operators on the best use of fuel and methods
of stoking, and discussions with managerial staff. Special surveys are also in progress
for the scientific measurement of grit and dust deposited in specially selected parts
of the Borough. For this purpose five standard gauges are being used, the results of
which are published monthly by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
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