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55
SMOKE CONTROL AREAS, A local Authority may, by Order confirmed by
the Minister, declare the whole or any part of its district to be a
SMOKE CONTROL AREA If at any time smoke of ANY DENSITY is emitted
from a chimney within a Smoke Control Area, the occupier of the building
concerned shall be guilty of an offence, and liable on conviction to a
maximum penalty of £10.
The Hackney Borough Council wish to take all practicable steps to
reduce atmospheric pollution to a minimum. A central area, comprising
some 165 acres, is at the present time under consideration for designation
as a SMOKE CONTROL AREA; householders in that particular area will,
in due course, be given full details of the scheme, with particular
reference to the conversion of appliances, and the financial assistance
available towards same.
Other Areas. It is suggested that householders in other parts of the
Borough, pending plans for further smoke control areas, should consider
converting existing appliances at their own expense, with a view to using
coke or other smokeless fuels. Such appliances can, generally speaking,
be installed for a moderate outlay, and in practice will be found to be
more economical in use, with the appropriate fuels, than existing coal
fires. In many cases it will be found that existing appliances will burn
smokeless fuels satisfactorily.
Further advice on this matter will readily be given to any resident
of the Borough on application to the Public Health Department, Room 10,
Town Hall. Telephone AMHerst 3351, Extension 239.
JOHN FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health. "
A meeting, to which coal merchants, builders, estate agents, property
owners, appliance distributors and other interested bodies were invited, was
held at the Town Hall on the 13th November, 1958. under the Chairmanship of the
Chairman of the Public Health Committee. This meeting proved to be very
successful and there was a full discussion on the general terms of the Central
Smoke Control Order and also on the supply of smokeless fuels and the installation
of approved appliances and grants payable under the Act.
The Borough Council was represented by the Chairman of the Public Health
Committee, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health and the Clean Air and Factories
Inspector at a meeting of Local Authorities in South West Essex and contiguous
authorities held at the Barking Town Hall on the 21st November, 1958, at which
information relating to the implementation of the Clean Air Act was exchanged.
Memorandum on Industrial Premises
This memorandum was issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
in June, 1958, to assist local authorities in administering the relevant pro
visions of the Clean Air Act. It describes the law and defences in the case
of proceedings, and the problems of administration it also includes a summary
of technical means of control in relation to dark smoke, grit and dust, smoke
nuisances, railway engines, ships and Crown premises. The memorandum also
draws attention to the need to carry out a systematic survey of all boiler and
furnace plant in the local authority's area, and to encourage the installation
of mechanical stokers, oil firing equipment, control equipment and instrumenta
tion, and the training of boiler and furnace operators.
The Alkali, &c. Works Order, 1958
The discharge of noxious or offensive gases, smoke, grit and dust from
certain types of works is subject to control by the Chief Alkali Inspector
under the Alkali, &c; Works Regulation Act, 1906. as extended by virtue of
section 17 of the Clean Air Act, 1956 (4 & 5 Eliz. 2,c.52) Both the types of