London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Richmond upon Thames 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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were also available for direct acting electric space heaters (electric fires), but few
applicants chose such appliances, mainly it was considered, because of the expense in
running them.
Listed below are the type of appliances selected during the year compared with the previous three years:
| Appliance Selected | 1969 | 1968 | 1967 | 1966 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Room Heaters | 65% | 69% | 66% | 51% |
| Open Fires | 19% | 14% | 19% | 33% |
| Solid Fuel Heating Stoves | 9% | 12% | 10% | 14% |
| Electric Storage Heaters | 5% | 5% | 5% | 2% |
| Electric Fires | 2% |
The Gas Room Heater was still the first choice but, due to some active canvassing
of the householders by solid fuel interests, there has been a greater number of people
retaining the use of an open fire.
It seems that in choosing an appliance most people have regard firstly to the ease
of operation, the actual running cost being a secondary consideration. Older citizens
were generally more likely to choose open fires because they were more accustomed to
them and did not feel so apprehensive as they would of a newer, different type of
appliance.
Concerning the running costs, it is interesting to compare the following figures
arrived at, using as a basis the appliance efficiency and annual fuel consumption set out
in the White Paper "Domestic Fuel Supplies and the Clean Air Policy" presented to
Parliament in 1963 by the then Minister of Power.
| Fuel. | Appliances. | 1969. | 1966. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | Stool and Fret | 13/5 | 12/9 |
| Gas Coke | Improved Open Fire | 12/8 | 11/9 |
| Hard Coke | Openable Room Heater | 8/9 | 8/- |
| Gas | Gas Room Heater | 11/1 | 9/11 |
| Electric | Electric Fire | 18/- | 15/8 |
| Electric ("D" Tariff) | Electric Storage Heater | 8/6 | 8/1 |
| Paraffin | Fixed Flued Heater | 8/2 | 8/2 |
The disposal of waste material by burning in the open causes considerable inconvenience
and is often a nuisance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. Now that
more residents live in Smoke Control Areas, an increasing number of individuals are
finding their neighbours' practice of burning garden and other refuse objectionable.
Most of the complaints about bonfires are received in the summer when windows are
opened and people sit outside. Generally the person committing the offence is unaware
that he is causing any annoyance and is often himself trying to solve a personal problem
of what to do with the increasing bulk of domestic and other refuse, being unaware
that the Council will remove all household refuse and will, in addition, receive refuse
at nominated depots in the Borough.
During the year the Clean Air Act, 1968 came into full operation. Section 1 of
this Act prohibits the emission of dark smoke due to open burning on any industrial or
trade premises. The Minister of Housing and Local Government made Regulations
which exempted, amongst others, the emissions resulting from burning waste materials
during the demolition of buildings or the clearance of sites. This is a great disappointment
as such activities are a constant source of complaint and seldom in the past could
any effective action be taken. It appears this unfortunate situation will continue until
such time as the community at large decide that it does not want any open site burning
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