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houses, with power to enforce Sections 3, 33, 34 and 35 of the
" Factory and Workshop Act, 1878." Your Vestry had previously
made recommendations to the proper authorities, which went
considerably beyond the point reached by the new Act, and were
in substantial agreement with views set out in my annual report
for 1881, in which I stated that—
" What really is required is a proper ' Bakehouse Regulation Act,' providing
for the licensing of bakehouses, and conferring on Sanitary Authorities
the power, which they should be obliged to exercise, of regulating the
trade by bye-laws, uniform for the Metropolis, dealing with—
(1) The position and construction, including lighting and
ventilation, of bakehouses ;
(2) The periodical cleansing of bakehouses ; and
(3) The materials and utensils employed in the manufacture of
bread."
That such a measure is desirable will hardly be contested, but
it was felt to be useless to press for any alteration in the Bill of
1883 ; for, owing to the lateness of the period at which the
measure was introduced, it could not be passed, except in its
original form. I took the opportunity, nevertheless, of drawing
the attention of the Local Government Board to the shortcomings
of the Bill, and it is hoped that a more complete and satisfactory
measure may hereafter be introduced, for even the operative bakers
recognise the necessity for thorough supervision of bakehouses by
the Sanitary Authority. It may be mentioned that your Vestry's
control over bakehouses in this Parish was never wholly lost, the
sanitary inspectors having, in accordance with my instructions,
continued to inspect them during the interregnum (1879-83) as
before. Although, therefore, there is still much to desire, in
regard to position and structural arrangements of the premises—
few of which were designed for their present use—sanitaryconditions
have, on the whole, been fairly maintained. Upon the
passing of the Act the Society of Medical Officers of Health
prepared •" Suggestions for Regulations with respect to Bakehouses,"
for the guidance of local authorities. There is no
express authority for making regulations, but it was felt that good
would result should local authorities see fit to adopt regulations,