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SHOPS ACT 1950.
(Cont.)
Dairies and Milkshops 6
Drapers and Ladies Outfitters 53
Electrical Supplies 18
Fishmongers and Fried Fish Shops 14
General Stores 18
Greengrocers,Fruiterers and Florists 54
Grocers and Provision Merchants 74
Hairdressers 46
Hardware, Ironmongery and Timber 23
Licensed Premises 54
Motor & Cycle Dealers and Engineers 32
Tailors and Outfitters 16
Upholsterers and House Furnishers 14
Watchmakers and Jewellers 8
Miscellaneous 98
Total:- 523.
No steps have yet been taken to deal with the present
unsatisfactory state of the law with regard to trading hours in
shops. The 1950 Act is merely a consolidation of legislation
passed between 1912 and 1938, much bedevilled with case law and
to a large degree unsatisfactory for today's way of life.
What might be broadly termed welfare" conditions in shops
have, however, at last received attention.
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises, Act, 1963,
received the Royal Assent on 31st July, 1963, and will come into
force on dates in 1964 to be appointed by the Minister.
This Act makes "fresh provision for securing the health,
safety and welfare of persons employed in office or shop premise"
and will be administered partly by local councils, partly by H.M.
Factory Inspectorate and partly by the Fire Authority.
The Act and its accompanying Regulations (many of which
have yet to be made) are complicated and detailed, and the task
of enforcement will be no light one.
It is perhaps unfortunate that this legislation will come
into operation in 1964 when authorities in the Greater London
area are heavily involved in re-organisation and its attendant
staff problems.
It seems probable that additional staff will be required
to help cope with this work, but understandably existing Councils
may not wish to further complicate the merger procedure by
engaging extra staff at this juncture.
CLEAN AIR ACT. 1956.
The Council considered Circular 60/62 from the Ministry
of Housing and Local Government about Smoke Control Orders in
which the Minister asked "black area" authorities who have not
prepared programmes to consider most carefully whether this is
consistent with the health and well-being of their communities.
The Council decided to re-affirm their last resolution
on the subject which was as follows:-
That the Minister be informed that this Council (A) reaffirm
that they are in full agreement with the desirability of reducing
tne emission of smoke from domestic chimneys. (B) are of opinion
that residents are voluntarily changing to smokeless fuels at a
satisfactory rate, it being unlikely that this rate will be
significantly increased by legislation. (In this respect, the
Council further believe that emission of smoke in the Borough is
not excessive at the present time), and to reconsider the matter in
a year s time in January 1964.
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