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Not all of the excess can necessarily be attributed to air pollution since
other factors, for example, climate or housing conditions, play a part, but in
general it is the industrial towns liable to heavy pollution that have the
highest death rates."
Following a review of the existing legislation on air pollution, the
Committee were clearly of the opinion that the present law on smoke and other
visible pollutants needs considerable revision and strengthening, and expressed
the view that the responsibility for the administration of the statutory provisions
should continue to rest with the local authorities.
The following is a summary of the Committee's recommendations:
A. RECOMMENDATIONS ENTAILING LEGISLATION
(1) Subject to certain exceptions the emission of dark smoke from any
chimney should be prohibited by law.
(2) The use of efficient grit and dust arresting plant should be obligatory
in new industrial installations which burn pulverised fuel, or solid fuel
in any form at a maximum rate of 10 tons an hour or more. It should be the
duty of the owner or occupier of premises on which any such installation, new
or existing, is situated, to take measurements of grit emission and to inform
the local authority of the results if so required. In other industrial
installations fired by solid fuel, all reasonably practicable steps should be
taken to prevent the emission of grit and dust.
(3) In the case of certain industrial processes in which the prevention
of dark smoke, grit or harmful gases presents special technical difficulties,
responsibility for ensuring that the best practicable means of prevention are
used at all times should be vested in the Alkali Inspectorate and the provisions
of the Alkali Acts should be extended accordingly.
(4) The provisions now in force under a number of local Acts for regulating
the design of new industrial furnaces should be included in general
legisl ation.
(5) The law for the control of smoke from railways, and of pollution from
colliery spoilbanks, should be brought up to date and strengthened. Responsibility
for enforcement should rest with the local authorities.
(6) Local Authorities should have power under general legislation by
means of Orders requiring confirmation by the appropriate Ministers to establish
(1) smokeless zones in which the emission of smoke from chimneys would be
entirely prohibited; and (2) smoke control areas in which the use of bituminous
coal for domestic purposes would be restricted.
(7) Financial assistance should be provided by local authorities and
by the Exchequer towards the costs incurred by house owners in converting
appliances in smokeless zones and smoke control areas.
(8) Domestic heating appliances installed in all new premises should be
of approved types.
(9) The present purchase tax of 50 per cent . on gas and electric room and
water heaters should be removed.
(10) Except for the processes referred to in (3) above, responsibility for
enforcing the law for the prevention of smoke and grit should be placed as a
statutory duty on the local authorities.