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25
The comparison is shown below in the equivalent of tons per
square mile :—
1949 14.78
1950 15.88
1951 14.09
Compared with industrial areas and others with a greater
density of building this is quite a mild pollution but the value
of the gauge lies in its ability to indicate fluctuations within our
own area. However, I must stress once again that the direction
of the wind and the amount of rain affects the results considerably
and observations over a number of years will have to be made
before we can come to any useful conclusion.
In dealing with the few complaints of smoke and grit emission
from factory chimneys we have found the managements and
directors most anxious to co-operate and it must be said in
justice to them that a factor contributing to the nuisance is the
poor quality of the fuel received by them.
The Council is well represented on the London and Home
Counties Smoke Abatement Advisory Council and the Standing
Conference of Local Authorities which co-operates with the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Shops Act, 1950.
The survey referred to in previous reports was completed
during the early part of the year.
The full co-operation of the shopkeepers was received and in
no case was it necessary to resort to statutory action to obtain
compliance with the various requirements of the Act.
A summary of the work in 1951, shows :—
Inspections 305
Neglect in displaying Statutory Forms 107
Inadequate Sanitary Accommodation 3
Inadequate Heating Arrangements 2
Sanitary Accommodation in need of cleansing and repair 5
Inadequate Washing Facilities 2
Insufficient Seating for Female Assistants 1
Contravention of Closing Hours 3
Verminous Conditions and Uncleanliness.
The rarity in which these conditions now occur, compared
with conditions of thirty years ago, is indicative of the progress
made in social services. There are cases, fortunately very few
in number, where uncleanliness occurs in uncared for aged
persons. In spite of the lack of baths in many homes and in