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NEW LEGISLATION
Food & Drugs Act, 1955 & Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
As mentioned in other parts of this Report these two important
pieces of legislation came into force on January 1st, although several
parts of the Regulations, which were made under the Act, did not
become effective until July 1st. These latter Regulations dealt with
the provision of wash hand basins, sinks for washing equipment,
cupboards for staff clothing, etc.
Clean Air Act, 1956
The Bill designed to remove atmospheric pollution became an
Act of Parliament in July, 1956. The Clean Air Act (Appointed Day)
Order, 1956, brought into operation certain sections of the Act as
from 31st December, 1956. An Appointed Day has still to be
declared for the remaining part of the Act.
The Act, when working more fully, should be the means of
keeping the atmosphere free of smoke, etc., for, in addition to
giving powers to local authorities to control the emission of smoke,
it contains provisions enabling Smoke Control Orders to be made
creating what were formerly known as smokeless zones.
Although the Act is not as strong as many would wish, it is to be
hoped that "smog" will be a thing of the past and that local
authorities will implement the "provisions of the Act making the
breathing of clean air a reality.
Sanitary Inspectors (Change of Designation) Act, 1956.
For some years past many inspectors have hoped for a change of
name and efforts have been made on various occasions to this end.
A Private Member's Bill enabled the Act to receive the Royal Assent
on the 2nd August, 1956. It stated that sanitary inspectors appointed
under the Local Government Acts, etc., shall henceforth be
designated public health inspectors.
Slum Clearance (Compensation) Act, 1956 set out provisions for
paying compensation for loss of dwellings in slum clearance
schemes.
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