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31.
1959 smoko observations were made in the Area and few instances of contravention
were observed. In each of these isolated cases visits were made
and assistance and advice was given to occupiers followed up by a letter of
explanation. No reports of difficulties have been received in obtaining
supplies of smokeless fuel.
Phased programme of Smoke Control Areas
Under Circular 5/59 dated 26th January 1959 the Minister of Housing and
Local Government asked that Councils in black areas (Shoreditch is included
under this categoiy) should now consider their domestic smoke problem as a
whole (if they have not already done so) and decide on the smoke control orders
that are needed, in what order of priority they should be made, and how many
years it is likely to take to finish the job; and that they should then prepare
a phased programme for establishing smoke control areas over the next
five years. Councils in black areas were invited to inform the Minister by
50th June 1959 of their conclusions.
This matter was considered by the Public Health Committee in Februaiy 1959
and upon recommendations made by the Chief Public Health Inspector it was
decided to recommend to the Council that the whole of Shoreditch should become
a Smoke Control Area and that this be done in s even s tages between i960 and
1966 in the priority as indicated on an accompanying map of the Borough. A
copy of the proposals was forwarded to the Minister of Housing and Local
Government.
As local authorities were required to take immediate steps to administer
and implement the Clean Air Act, a detailed house-to-house survey was undertaken
to ascertain the number and types of premises, the number and types of
fireplaces to be converted or adapted, the types of fuel used and information
of fuel storage accommodation available. Two unqualified staff were
engaged to carry out this survey under the supervision of the Chief Public
Health Inspector.

In addition 425 re-visits were made where access presented difficulties. The
number of fireplaces in No.2 Smoke Control Area requiring adaptation or
replacement was 661 and the number of fireplaces not requiring adaptation or
replacement was 1,509.