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This legislation was fully operative in the Borough for the
whole of 1953 with the result that all milk sold in the area was
designated milk, the bulk of it being pasteurised or sterilised.
No action was found to be necessary under Regulation 20 of
the Milk and Dairies Regulations (relating to disease communicable
to man by consumption of milk).
During 1953, 149 licences to sell designated milk were issued
by the Council.
8. SLAUGHTERHOUSES. In the early part of 1954 the
Ministry of Food intimated to local authorities that meat rationing
would end in July of this year and that centralised slaughtering
of food animals under direct Ministry control would then
cease with the result that the trade would be expected to make
their own arrangements. Local authorities were asked to review
slaughtering arrangements in their areas to ensure that sufficient
facilities would be available. The position in this Borough will
presumably remain as it was before the War. One small
slaughterhouse used in connection with a family business was
licensed prior to 1939 and an annual licence has been renewed
since the War, although up to the moment the premises have not
been used. Most of the meat supplies for the Borough have come
from the London Meat Markets.
No horse slaughtering on licensed premises has been carried
on in Wembley.
9. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION. Fortunately during 1953
there was no recurrence of the persistent and deadly fog which
occurred in December, 1952, but, nevertheless, on occasions fog
was experienced.
Although much has been said and written about the fog of
1952 (at Conferences and other places), no one has yet been able
to say with certainty what constituent of the fog produced such
lethal effects. Conjectures have been made, including one concerning
the possible synergistic properties of certain constituents
of fog. Although there are records of the quantities of sulphur
dioxide and smoke present in the atmosphere there are none concerning
the presence of carbon monoxide which might have risen
to an unprecedented level. Perhaps the Beaver Committee
appointed by the Government to enquire into the matter will in
their final report be able to produce more definite information.
There is still much to be done towards the attainment of a
cleaner atmosphere but a word of caution is necessary. Even if
the elimination of all of the visible smoke and particles in the
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