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4.4.3 The two Hampstead areas cover a total of 590 acres and are typical residential
areas with a preponderance of Victorian houses relieved by occasional blocks of flats.
Each has its own shopping centre and there is no industrial smoke problem. Boiler
plants at John Barnes department store and at a small private hotel nearby (which are
equipped with automatic stoking devices) were conditional exemptions from the smoke
control order.
4.4.4 Choice of conversions showed proportions of 51 per cent, gas, 45 per cent,
solid smokeless fuel and 4 per cent. electric heating. The relatively low figures for
solid smokeless fuel may reflect the increasing production of Roomheat and Homefire
fuels which will burn in unconverted grates.
4.4.5.1 On 1st October, 1968, smoke control orders came into operation covering the
Hampstead Nos. 11 and 12 areas and the St. Pancras No. 9 area. This was the culmination
of the Borough's smoke control programme; in addition legislation was passed
prohibiting sale of coal in smoke control areas.
4.4.5.2 One Hampstead area covered 130 acres situated west of Finchley Road as far
as West End Lane, and the other 110 acres west of Haverstock Hill, bounded by Ainger
Road, England's Lane, and Primrose Hill Road. The St. Pancras area, covering 342
acres, lies to the west of Eversholt Street and is bounded by Regent's Park, Euston
Road, and Parkway.
4.4.5.3 About 700 dwellings were in the areas where fire-places required alteration
at an estimated cost of £30,000. However, despite publicity, there were only about
200 applicants for grant facilities, at a cost of approximately £6,000. Experience
throughout the smoke control programme has been that an average of only two-thirds
of the householders eligible for grant avail themselves of this financial assistance.
The trend of conversions in 1968 followed very much the usual pattern, with gas having
a small lead over solid smokeless fuels and electricity lagging a long way behind.
4.4.6 There was no fanfare of trumpets when 1st October came, and the whole of
the borough became a smoke control area, but Camden can be justifiably proud to be
one of the first six London boroughs to finish their smoke control programmes and
thereby give their inhabitants the advantages of a cleaner atmosphere in which to live.
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
4.5.1 The enforcement of working conditions in offices and shops is another instance
where technical assistants are usefully employed. Most premises have now received
their second full inspection since the Act came into force. Legal proceedings were
found necessary five times in 1967 but only once in 1968, although there were many
instances in which lengthy negotiations took place before final agreement was reached.
4.5.2. Certain problems of enforcement have arisen in relation to premises within
Lincoln's Inn, where flying freeholds have been granted under the new Square Act, 1860.
This Act is so worded that the responsibility for the common parts of the buildings
involved cannot be established. The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn are trying to
overcome the problem.
4.5.3.1 Of the total number of accidents reported during 1967, one in particular is
worthy of note. A man fell down a lift shaft, sustaining fairly serious injuries which
on investigation highlighted the need for safety regulations to govern lifts in offices.
Had there existed regulations parrallel to those made under the Factories Acts, this
accident would not have occurred. Regulations have been laid before Parliament which
will become effective in May, 1969. In the meantime, a survey of lifts and hoists
throughout the Borough was undertaken during 1968 and has revealed that the Regulations
will have a significant effect on the present level of lift construction and
maintenance in many premises.
4.5.3.2 Most of the slightly higher (10 per cent.) number of accidents reported in
1968 were caused by slips and falls for which there were no specific reasons. One
fatal accident to a window cleaner again suggested that the introduction of Regulations
covering use of safety belts and harnesses might save life.
4.5.4 The following table shows the work of the department under the Act during
1968:-
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