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27
LEGISLATION
The legislation passed in 1956 which is most directly aimed at
improving conditions and so affecting health was the Clean Air Act.
The Clean Air Act (Appointed Day) Order, 1956, made the 31st December,
1956, the appointed day for coming into operation of this Act except
Sections 1, 2, 5-9, 16, 19 and 20, 22 (i) a, c, and d (iii), 35 (i) (ii) and the
fourth schedule. The Smoke Control (Authorised Fuels) Regulations,
1956, made under this Act came into operation on 31st December, 1956.
The model building byelaws were amended as to the arrangements in
buildings for preventing smoke.
The Food and Drugs Act, 1955, came into operation on 1st January,
1956.
The Food Hygiene Regulations of 1955 came into operation on
1st January, 1956. The Food Hygiene (Amendment No. 2) Regulations,
1956, which came into operation on 31st December, 1956, postponed for
twelve months the coming into operation in relation to shrimps, prawns
and onions of Regulation 7 of the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955,
which restricts the giving out of food for preparation or packing for the
purposes of a food business on or about domestic premises. This
deferred action under the Amendment No. 1 Regulations of the 18th
June, 1956.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued model byelaws
on the sanitary condition and management of private and of public
slaughterhouses.
By the Sanitary Inspectors (Change of Designation) Act, 1956, which
came into effect on the 2nd August, 1956, sanitary inspectors are now
designated Public Health Inspectors.
The Middlesex County Council Act, 1956, received Royal Assent on
the 2nd August, 1956. The sections which are of most concern to the
Public Health Committee are:—
35. Supply of water to premises where supply cut off.
37. Exposed party walls to be weather proof.
38. Summary power to remedy stopped up drains, etc.
39. Power to repair drains and private sewers.
40. Power to require connection of premises with public sewers in
certain cases.
41. Inspection chambers not to be covered.
42. Cleansing or destruction of filthy or verminous articles.
88. Further provisions as to movable dwellings.