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The Council were, however, disappointed that the installation of a sulphur elimination plant was
deferred until the Minister decided that it was reasonably practicable to provide it. The Council therefore
asked the Minister to require the installation of a sulphur elimination plant at the earliest possible date. The
Minister replied on November 23rd, 1949, that with the new high chimneys it was unlikely that any small
quantity of sulphur which might be discharged in the atmosphere would be harmful to people and materials,
and he felt that the Electricity Authority should not be involved in the increased costs of installing gas washing
plants until there was evidence that a nuisance would arise from the extension of the power station. The
Minister would, however, give fullest consideration to any representations which would be made to him by a
responsible authority after the new plant was working.
An indication of the difficulties that have arisen with the present power station at Acton Lane is given
in the following typical reports of the Sanitary Inspector, dated May 20th, 1949, and July 12th, 1949:
"20.5.49. P. M. Dense smoke coming from several short stacks. Visited station and saw Mr. Dobson,
Chief Engineer, and Mr. Butter field, Deputy Chief Engineer.
Washing plant is entirely out of action for the time being. Two chambers are badly
in need of repairs, one is already being repaired and the fourth has not yet been completed.
The roofs of two chambers which had collapsed and had been temporarily covered with
corrugated iron.
In addition, the main flue to the northern half of the station was undergoing repairs
because the roof had collapsed in a number of places.
Work was proceeding and some gas washing should be done in a few weeks. The
whole of the repairs would take at least two months."
" 12.7.49. 3.20 p.m. Dense smoke from North end boilers.
Mr. Dobson stated these boilers were being pushed because of a breakdown on the
high-pressure boilers which would not be repaired for a few days. Conditions were
aggravated by the quality of coal which was very poor at present.
*
Repairs to the main flues and washing chambers should be completed in about a month."
The problem of smoke nuisances from power stations is one confronting health authorities in many
parts of the country. It may be necessary, as a matter of economics, that electricity should be produced in
greater quantities an 1 at a low price, but it is essential that the health of the people should not be sacrificed
in the process, otherwise the money saved in the cost of production of electricity will be spent in dealing with
the harmful effects of the polluted atmosphere on both people and materials. It has been estimated that the
smoke nuisance costs the country £80,000,000 per year.
Bombed Sites:
The number of bombed sites in the Borough is 100, and during the year residents living close to these
bombed sites again complained of nuisances. Notices were served on the owners where nuisances, as defined
under Section 92 of the Public Health Act, 1936, existed. Where the owners could not be traced, offensive
material was removed by the Borough Engineer and rats were destroyed by the Rodent Officer. The Council
now have a programme to clear up these sites and prevent the recurrence of nuisances.
Disinfestation:
The sanitary inspectors inspect verminous premises and supervise the work of the disinfectors employed
by the Council.
Furniture of tenants moving into new Council dwellings is disinfested by contractors; bedding materials
are disinfested at the steam disinfectors at the Neasden Hospital.
(a) Disinfestation of Verminous Premises:
Number of primary inspections of verminous premises by sanitary inspectors 174
Number of re-inspections of verminous premises by sanitary inspectors 262
Total number of properties dealt with by disinfestors 226
Number of private premises supervised by sanitary inspectors 174
Number of Council properties supervised by Housing Department 52
Number of verminous rooms disinfested under Council's Scheme 453
Number of verminous rooms disinfested by owners 31
Total number of verminous rooms disinfested 484
*Some rooms are treated more than once.
(b) Disinfestation of Possessions of Tenants moving into new Council Dwellings:
Number of furniture disinfestations 94
Number of premises disinfested by H.C.N. —
(c) Number of Loads of Bedding Disinfested at Neasden Hospital 36
(d) Miscellaneous Disinfestations:
Number of treatments for beetle infestations in canteens, etc. 18
Number of treatments for wasp infestations 6
Number of treatments for ant infestation 16