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99
The number of inspections made of outworkers' premises during
the year was 1,176 and in twelve instances nuisances or defects
necessitating the service of notices were found. There was one
instance of infectious disease occurring in the home of an outworker
and appropriate action was taken.
BASEMENT BAKEHOUSES.
Section 54 of the Factories Act, 1937, states (inter alia):—
(a) that a basement bakehouse shall not be used as a
bakehouse unless it was so used on 30th July, 1937,
and a certificate of suitability has been issued by the
Council under the Act of 1901, and any basement
bakehouse which for a period exceeding twelve months
is not used as a bakehouse shall not be so used again;
(b) that every Council shall carry out, during the twelve
months ending 1st July, 1939, and in every fifth
succeeding year, an examination of every basement
bakehouse in respect of which a certificate of suitability
has been issued, and if not satisfied that the bakehouse
is suitable as regards construction, height, light,
ventilation and any hygienic respect, shall give notice
in writing that the certificate of suitability shall cease
to have effect after the expiration of such period
(being not less than one month) as may be specified
in the notice. The person receiving such a notice has
a right of appeal to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction
within 21 days.
Certificates of suitability were granted under the Act of 1901
in respect of 68 underground bakehouses in the Borough. The use
of several of these has since been discontinued and at the passing
of the Act of 1937 there were 45 basement bakehouses remaining
in use in the Borough. A careful survey of these premises was
carried out and the Council decided to serve notices cancelling the
certificates of suitability as regards seven basement bakehouses.
As regards the remaining 38 premises, it was decided that improvements
in ventilation, natural lighting, general condition of floors
and so on were desirable, and that the occupiers should be required
to carry out any necessary improvements as a condition under
which the certificates of suitability will be allowed to continue to
operate,