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31.
SHOPS ACT, 1950.
Sub-Section (2) of Section 38 of the Shops Act, 1950 requires that in
every shop, not being a shop exempt from the provisions of this Sub-Section,
there shall be provided and maintained suitable and sufficient sanitary
conveniences available for the use of persons employed in or about the
shop.
Sub-Section (6) of Section 38 provides that a shop may be exempted
from the provisions of Sub-Section (2) if there is in force a certificate
exempting the shop therefrom granted by the authority whose duty it is to
enforce those provisions. A certificate is granted if the authority are
satisfied that by reason of restricted accommodation or other special circumstances
it is not practicable to provide such accommodation on the
premises and that alternative arrangements are conveniently available.
13 Certificates of exemption in respect of sanitary conveniences were issued
during the year. The number of inspections and re-inspections made during
the year was 589.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED AND INFIRM PERSONS.
Under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the Council are
empowered to apply to a Court for an Order for the removal to hospital or
other institution of a person who is aged, infirm or physically incapacitated,
and who is living in insanitary conditions and "unable to devote to himself,
and is not receiving from other persons proper care and attention".
In addition, during 1951, the National Assistance (Amendment) Act came
into force. Under this Act, on certification by the Medical Officer of
Health and another practitioner, emergency removals of such people for
periods not exceeding three weeks may be enforced by the Courts.
No action under this Section was necessary during the year.
RAG EEALERS.
There are 14 premises in the Borough in which the business of Rag
Dealer is carried on. 14 Visits were paid during the year.
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
The passage of the Clean Air Bill through Parliament and the granting
of Royal Assent on July 27th, 1956 with the prospect of the Act becoming
operative towards the end of the year, was a signal for the collation of
vital information and the formulation of measures whereby the Act could be
properly implemented as soon as possible when required.