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manufacture of bread, pastry, &c., is carried on." The necessity
for such improvements was emphasized, in 1883, by The Operative
Bakers and Confectioners' Union, which very properly took
up the question of "insanitary bakehouses," in the interests of
the health of the employes, and went, in deputation, to the
President of the Local Government Board, the Chief Inspector of
Factories being present, in order to represent their grievances. In
a memorial then submitted, it was stated that, "at present almost
any kitchen or cellar is turned into a bakehouse, often in close
proximity to drains, many being undrained and totally unfit places
for the manufacture of human food." At a subsequent date the
Home Secretary received a deputation, when several of the men
laid emphasis on the fact that the unsatisfactory condition of
bakehouses seriously affected the wholesome character of bread.
The Home Secretary, in reply, said that "the Government would,
by legislation, prevent, at least so they proposed, the construction
of underground bakehouses for the future; "but no provision of
this sort is to be found in the Act of 1883, and the subject is not
referred to in any of the Bills now before Parliament. These
Bills, as I pointed out, do not stand alone in furnishing an
opportunity for dealing with the question. It might be dealt
with in the Public Health (London) Bill, to the extent, at any
rate, of enabling the County Council to make bye-laws for the
regulation of bakehouses.
My Report dealing with this subject was referred by your
Vestry to the Law and Parliamentary Committee, with power to
take such action as might be thought best to bring about a
much needed sanitary improvement, my specific recommendation
being that steps should be taken to secure the introduction of a
clause to enable the Sanitary Authority, or the County Council,
to make bye-laws for the regulation of bakehouses.
The recommendation was adopted, and letters were addressed
(28th April) to the Home Secretary and the President of the Local
Government Board, pointing out the desirability of advantage