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transfer to the local authority powers for dealing with dark smoke,
grit and dust, Smoke Control Areas and smoke nuisance which would
otherwise be dealt with by the Alkali Inspectorate.
Section 21 enables the local authority to grant exemption, wholly
or to a limited extent, from certain provisions of the Act to any person
for the purpose of carrying out investigations or research relevant to
the problem of the pollution of air. The exemption is subject to such
conditions and for such period as may be specified in the notice. Any
person who has applied to the local authority for an exemption and
is dissatisfied with the decision of the local authority may appeal to
the Minister who may, if he thinks fit, grant or vary a notice of
exemption.
Whereas Crown premises and ships were previously exempt from
the provisions of "smoke laws" the new Act provides that local
authorities can report infringements to the responsible Minister, and
it then becomes his duty to inquire into the circumstances and if his
inquiry reveals that there is cause for complaint, to employ all
practicable means for preventing or minimising the emission of smoke,
grit or dust or for abating the nuisance and preventing a recurrence
thereof, as the case may be.
Section 23 authorises the appointment by the Minister of Housing
and Local Government of a Consultative Council to be called the
" Clean Air Council," for the purposes of keeping under review the
progress made in abating the pollution of the air in England and
Wales and obtaining the advice of persons having special knowledge,
experience or responsibility in regard to prevention of pollution of the
air.
Building byelaws may require the provision in new buildings of
such arrangements for heating or cooking as are calculated to prevent
so far as practicable the emission of smoke. The Council have already
decided to make such a byelaw which is in the following form :—
There shall be provided in a new building (except in so far
as heating is provided by furnaces to which Section 3 of the
Clean Air Act, 1956, applies) only such appliances for heating
or cooking as are suitably designed for burning any of the following
fuels, namely:—
(a) gas,
(b) electricity,
(c) coke, or anthracite,
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