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N.B.—The Council-owned prefabricated dwellings in the No. 6 Order are affected by
the Harrow (Suspension of Smoke Control) Order 1963.
It will be seen that the total cost far exceeds the Grant paid. This is
the result of many householders spending much more than the minimum
necessary to adapt their fireplaces. The Grant paid is based on the lesser
figure, which means that instead of seven-tenths of the cost being met
from public funds, as envisaged by the Clean Air Act, applicants on an
average are receiving about 50% of the cost of the work carried out.
Industrial Premises
Those concerned with the management of industrial boiler plants cooperated
with the Department throughout the year and though from time
to time trouble was experienced, the number of incidents arising was
comparatively few. The complaints received about smoke emission were
usually found to be associated with either a mechanical breakdown or to a
failure on the part of those responsible for the plant.
Regarding new chimneys, recommendations regarding their height
were made whenever necessary to the Borough Architect and Planner. In
some cases, this resulted in the chimney height being amended, while in
the case of two new schools, fuel with a lower sulphur content was brought
into use.
Unfortunately, residents in the vicinity of some factories in the district
were troubled from time to time by smuts and grit from nearby chimneys
and though the action taken in some cases resulted in a marked improvement,
there were others where the problem remains unsolved.
National Survey of Air Pollution
Operation of the four stations recording daily levels of sulphur dioxide
and smoke in the atmosphere has continued and the Department is very
grateful to the pupils and staff of the two schools and the laboratory staff
of Winsor & Newton Ltd., as, without their assistance, this work could
not be done.