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expected to be in good supply, during the forseeable future. The use
of 'open fire' coke and direct acting electric fires is to be discouraged
on account of supply difficulties.
Arrangements for the introduction of the No. 5 Smoke Control
Area had been completed on the old basis, but, in confirming the
Order, the Minister of Housing and Local Government requested that
the new arrangements should apply. This has led to considerable
confusion and a great deal of extra work in revising estimates,
explaining the new proposals, and revising the scheme of grants.
Given time to reflect on the various aspects of home heating most
householders welcome the new appliances, except of course, for the
heavier costs of installation.
Very few contraventions of the Smoke Control Orders have been
noted. Informal warnings have been heeded and no formal proceedings
were necessary during the year.
If the present programme is adhered to the whole of the existing
Borough would be declared 'Smokeless' by 1968 (operative from
1969).
The results of observations carried out by means of recording
apparatus at the Civil Defence Centre show that there has been a
significant downward trend in the amount of smoke in the atmosphere
of East Sheen. Many people have commented favourably on the
cleaner atmosphere in the Barnes area since the introduction of smoke
control, but there is now no recording apparatus in that part of the
borough. Unfortunately there has only been a very small improvement
in the reduction of sulphur dioxide. This is explained of course
by the fact that although smokeless fuels are cleaner, they nevertheless
still contain almost as much sulphur as the coal they are replacing.
It is considered, however, that with the absence of smoke particles,
the effect of sulphur pollution is considerably less than when combined
with smoke.
The number of complaints relating to smoke nuisances caused by
the burning of rubbish have increased. It is really surprising to note
the selfishness of persons who see nothing wrong in regularly creating
smoke to the annoyance and detriment of their immediate neighbours.
SECTION 'D' —HOUSING
No large scale drive against unsatisfactory housing conditions
was mounted during the year. Many of the circumstances which give
rise to bad housing conditions are not, in this area, such as can be
remedied by the application of the Housing Acts. Property generally
is now kept in a reasonable state of repair. There are still, however,
many tenanted houses which require to be brought up to modern
standards of equipment, but the occupants would not necessarily
welcome the intervention of the Local Authority. Compulsory im,-