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36
Shops Act, 1934, and Young Persons Employment Act, 1938.
Routine visits have been made to ensure that the provisions of
these Acts relating to the employment of shop workers were
effectively applied. The conditions of employment of young persons
and shop workers generally have improved, both with respect to
working hours and health and comfort arrangements. 398 special
visits were made in connection with these Acts.
Legal proceedings were taken in the following instance:—
The occupier of a shop was summoned for employing a
young person under 16 for 8¾ hours, knowing he had already
been employed in a factory for 43¼ hours during the same week.
The Defendant was fined £5 0s. 0d. and costs £7 9s. 0d.
It is gratifying to note that the provisions of the Shops Acts
generally have been well observed.
Good Rule and Government Byelaws: Prosecution.
One prosecution was made by the Council under these Byelaws
during 1948, when an offender was fined 10s. Od. for allowing his
dog to foul the public footpath.
Factories.
Systematic and regular inspections are carried out in all
factories, and close co-operation is maintained with H.M. Inspector
of Factories.
Departmental co-operation is maintained with the Borough
Engineer's Department—particularly with respect to matters
affecting town planning requirements.
It is, however, to be regretted that no more positive action can
be taken to prevent this "mushroom growth" than the laborious
procedure by way of the Town and Country Planning Acts.