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101
The readings recorded are passed to the Warren Spring Laboratory
of the Ministry of Technology and are included in the National monthly
reports. These recorded figures are then converted into actual levels of
pollution by a computer at the laboratory. These converted figures for the
whole year are not yet available and, therefore, cannot be compared with
those included in previous reports.
During the year, the recording apparatus at three of the stations was
converted to the semi-automatic type, the other being previously adapted.
These all operate continuously for up to eight days and means that it is
now only necessary to attend the stations once a week instead of each day.
This has considerably reduced the time spent by those persons who are
operating the stations on our behalf.
FOOD AND DRUGS
On the 1st April 1965, by reason of the London Government Act of
1963, the London Borough of Harrow became a Food and Drugs Authority.
The principal effect of the change is that the Council is now responsible
for the enforcement of legislation dealing among other things with the
composition of food and drugs. It is, in fact, for the general public, a form
of consumer protection as the legislation relates to the composition, labelling
and advertising of food, and the registration and licensing of food
premises. Other responsibilities include those arising from the Pharmacy
and Poisons Act, Fertilisers and Feedingstuffs Act and the numerous
Orders and Regulations affecting specific articles of food and drink.
During 1965, the following Regulations came into force:—
Soft Drink Regulations 1964.
Dried Milk Regulations 1965.
Milk (Special Designation) (Amendment) Regulations 1965.
Eggs (Marking and Storage) Regulations 1965.
Meat Inspection (Amendment) Regulations 1965.
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963 (Commencement)
Order 1965.
SAMPLING OF FOOD
Pursuant to the Food & Drugs Act, sampling is undertaken and it is
normal to allow annually three samples per thousand of the population,
thus in a full year between six hundred and six hundred and fifty samples
will be taken. In addition, certain samples are tested by the Department
and the scope of this local testing will be increased in the future.
Listed below are the samples taken and submitted to the Public
Analyst for examination:—
Confectionery/Preserves 8
Flavouring/Condiments/Colouring 22
Bread/Flour 18
Sweets 35