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26
The problems which give rise to the greater difficulties are those
where the fuel used is not coal or oil. Wood waste is the chief
offender in this respect, but with the assistance of the Ministry of
Fuel and Power Engineers the problem is being dealt with in an
energetic manner.
Sanitary Administration.
The environmental health services have made steady progress.
Recovery from the restrictions of the war, and the immediate po itwar
years, although not complete, is moving in the right direction.
The department is expanding its activities, not only to overcome
an accumulation of arrears of work, but to widen spheres of
environmental hygiene.
New legislation will provide us with an opportunity to raise the
standard of hygiene, and every effort will be made to take advantage
of the change.
Housing.
No review of housing matters would be complete without some
comment on new legislation.
The most noteworthy contribution during the year is the introduction
of the Housing Act, 1949.
This is an Act which contains many provisions to assist local
authorities and owners in their housing difficulties—not the least
important section of which is Section 1.
The effect of this section is to remove from the existing Housing
Acts the expression "working classes." This is an improvement
long overdue, and local authorities will now be able to deal with all
houses in the area on the same basis.
Two further provisions of interest contained jn the Act are those
which provide power for the quashing of demolition orders (Section
2), and a provision whereby it is possible to make a closing order on a
house which is unfit for human habitation, where the house is
scheduled as one of historic or architectural interest (Section 3).