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9
Overcrowding
There has been little change in the extent of overcrowding which still remains acute. One licence
under section 80 of the Housing Act, 1957, was issued to permit temporary overcrowding.
The Housing and Estates Manager has kindly supplied the details of overcrowding in the area, which
have been based mainly on statements of housing applicants (Table 26), and also details of new dwellings
constructed during the year (Table 27).
Notices served under the Public Health Acts, 1936 and 1961, and Housing Acts, 1957 and 1961
There was a decrease in the number of statutory notices served during the year, compared with 1963
(Table 28).
No management orders under section 12, Housing Act, 1961, were served during the year.
Rent Act, 1957
Details of the applications received and the certificates issued up to the end of the year are shown
in Table 30.
Nuisances abated and improvements effected
A summary of nuisances abated and improvements effected in dwelling houses is shown in Table 31.
CLEAN AIR
The Clean Air Act, 1956, came into full operation on the 1st June, 1958. With certain temporary
exemptions the Aot prohibits the emission of "dark smoke" from all chimneys and provides for the establishment
of smoke control areas. Steady progress continues to be made in the establishment of such areas.
The No. 6 (Kensal Rise) Smoke Control Area, covering 144 acres with 3,496 dwellings, 178 commercial
and 25 other premises, was confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government in March,
and came into operation on 1st November,1964.

The No. 7 (Brondesbury Park) Smoke Control Order covering 409 acres with 5,042 dwellings, 170
commercial and 44 other premises was confirmed by the Council in December and submitted to the Minister
of Housing and Local Government. The proposed date of operation is 1st November, 1965.
The volumetric analysis of sulphur dioxide in the air has continued at the Public Health Department.
The results were sent to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research each month.
On the 3rd November a second recording apparatus was installed at the G.P.O. Research Station,
Dollis Hill. The analysis is carried out by officers of the Research Station and the Council is very grateful
for their help. This apparatus took the place of that previously installed in the Willesden County Grammar
School, which was removed in July, 1963, because of impending building operations and the demolition of
the laboratory where the apparatus was housed.
In October the Chairman of the Public Health Committee and the Chief Public Health Inspector
met the Alkali Inspector by appointment in Chesham Street to discuss and investigate the cause of the
increase of deposits of grit and dust in the vicinity of the Neasden Power Station. The Alkali Inspector had
previously inspected the boiler-plant at the Power Station and had arranged with the Superintendent to overhaul
the grit arresting apparatus. Further complaints were received in November, which were reported to the
Inspector, and he again visited the Power Station. It was arranged that access points should be provided in
the flues and chimneys for the purpose of sampling suspended grit and the possibility was discussed of using
the vacuum system to overcome build-up at the chimney bases. The nuisance was reported to the Council and
a strong letter of protest was sent to the London Transport Board.
Twenty-three notifications of the installation of new boiler plant were received in accordance with the
provisions of section 3 of the Clean Air Act. All were inspected and found to be satisfactory.
The Council is represented on an Inter-borough Smoke Control Liaison Committee, which includes
delegates from Hammersmith, Fulham, Brentford and Chiswick, Acton, Barnes and Richmond Councils, and
meets at Hammersmith Town Hall.