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CONTROL OF CARAVAN SITES
Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960

Gypsies and other Itinerants
There has been a considerable reduction in the number of parking places in the Borough
used by gypsies but there have been major problems from a site adjacent to the Colnbrook By-Pass.
This site was formerly an experimental road used by the Road Research Laboratory. The road has
been used for several months by itinerants and is in a most disgusting condition, littered with
refuse, human and animal excreta and infested by rats. As the site is owned by a government
department it is not possible to institute proceedings for the abatement of the nuisance as would
be possible if it were in the ownership of anyone other than the Crown. In these days when there
is so much talk of preventing pollution and improving the environment it is indeed strange that
the Department of the Environment should condone such intolerable conditions on one of the
major routes into London on a site under its control. Representations by the Council to the
Department have so far been unsuccessful.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The working environment is one of the largest fields in which the public health inspector
carries out his work. The specific enactments controlling places and conditions of employment
are the Factories Act, 1961, the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, the various Shops Acts,
and the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act. As far as the Factory Act is
concerned the major provisions are administered by the factory inspectorate. In addition to the
specific legislation there are other enactments dealing with particular matters of public health and
all types of premises including factories, shops and work places, viz. Public Health Acts, 1936 and
1961, the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 and the Food and Drugs Act, 1955. When
public health irspectors are carrying out general inspections of all types of work place in addition
to ascertaining the facts required by the specific legislation the following matters are also investigated
and if necessary action to ensure compliance with requirements taken.
(a) Nuisances—(e.g. dampness).
(b) Drainage—e.g. leaking gutter, storm and foul drainage with particular reference to
chemicals or oils in the effluent.
(c) Refuse storage and disposal—in this connection the type of waste is noted, and if
noxious wastes are produced the method of disposal is investigated to ensure proper
disposal to avoid risk of pollution.
(d) Rodent infestation.
(e) Food hygiene—with special reference to canteens and vending machines.
A serious omission in connection with a large number of workers is the lack of specific
legislation dealing with the conditions of employment, in particular for prescribing safety precautions
—examples are teaching and caretaking in schools.
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