Law

Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897

United Kingdom · statute

Ask the law about thisMore laws of United KingdomFor machines: Markdown

Open at the publisher →

In force since 2010-01-01, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

sha256 1f882317ec7228e0969a9a7727c57ad1e202af3cd56b210cf35db0813c3dde75

Contents: 159 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Short title.
  3. 2 Extent and commencement of Act.
  4. 3 Definitions.
  5. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6. 5 Local Government Board to be central authority.
  7. 6 Powers of Board to inquire into sanitary conditions of district.
  8. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  9. 8 Power to Board to appoint commissioners for conducting special inquiries.
  10. 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11. 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  12. 12 Local authorities for the purposes of the Act.
  13. 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  14. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  15. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  16. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  17. 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  18. 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  19. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  20. 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  21. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  22. 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  23. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  24. 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  25. 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  26. 27 Articles removed to be sold.
  27. 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  28. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  29. 30 Penalty for injuring closet, &c. so as to cause nuisance.
  30. 31 Waterclosets, &c. used in common.
  31. 32 Prohibition or regulation of certain offensive businesses, and byelaws as to offensive businesses.
  32. 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  33. 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  34. 35 Local authorities may make byelaws as to pigstyes.
  35. 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  36. 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  37. 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  38. 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  39. 40 Houses in filthy state to be purified.
  40. 41 Provision for obtaining order for cleansing offensive ditches lying near to or forming boundaries of districts.
  41. 42 Periodical removal of manure from mews and other premises.
  42. 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  43. 44 Notification of infectious disease.
  44. 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  45. 46 Provision of means for disinfecting bedding, &c.
  46. 47 Cleansing and disinfecting of premises, &c.
  47. 48 Disinfection of bedding. &c.
  48. 49 Persons engaged in washing or mangling clothes to furnish list of owners of clothes in certain cases.
  49. 50 Infectious matter thrown into ash-pits, &c. to be disinfected.
  50. 51 Penalty on letting houses in which infected persons have been lodging.
  51. 52 Penalty on persons letting houses making false statements as to infectious disease.
  52. 53 Penalty on ceasing to occupy house without disinfection or notice to owner, or on making false answer.
  53. 54 Removal to hospital of infected persons without proper lodging.
  54. 55 Detention of infected persons without proper lodging in hospital.
  55. 56 Penalty on exposure of infected persons and things.
  56. 57 Penalty on sending child to school, so as to spread infection.
  57. 58 Prohibitions on infected person carrying on business
  58. 59 Prohibition on conveyance, &c. of infected person in public conveyance.
  59. 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  60. 62 Prohibition of retention of dead body in certain cases.
  61. 63 Body of person dying of infectious disease in hospital, &c. to be removed only for burial.
  62. 64 Disinfection of public conveyances if used for carrying corpses.
  63. 65 Byelaws as to public conveyances.
  64. 66 Power of local authority to provide hospitals.
  65. 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  66. 68 Power of local authority to provide mortuaries.
  67. 69 Power of sheriff, &c. in certain cases to order removal of dead body to mortuary.
  68. 70 Power of local authority to provide places for post-mortem examinations.
  69. 71 Power to sanitary authorities to unite for providing mortuary.
  70. 72 Power of local authority to make byelaws as to lodging-houses.
  71. 73 Tents and vans used for human habitation.
  72. 74 Rules as to underground dwellings.
  73. 75 Penalty on letting underground dwellings.
  74. 76 Cases in which two convictions have occurred within three months.
  75. 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  76. 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  77. 89 Common lodging-houses to be registered.
  78. 90 No lodger to be received in common lodging-house till it has been inspected and registered.
  79. 91 Evidence of register.
  80. 92 Power to local authority to make byelaws.
  81. 93 Copy of bye-laws, to be furnished gratis to keepers.
  82. 94 Power to local authority to require additional supply of water.
  83. 95 Power to local authority to order reports from keepers.
  84. 96 Local authority may remove sick persons to hospitals, &c.
  85. 97 As to giving notice of fever, &c. occurring.
  86. 98 Inspection.
  87. 99 Cleansing.
  88. 100 Conviction for third offence, &c. to disqualify persons from keeping common lodging-houses.
  89. 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  90. 113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  91. 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  92. 116 Distilleries, &c. to deposit refuse.
  93. 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  94. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  95. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  96. 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  97. 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  98. 123 Works of distribution of sewage to be deemed a land improvement.
  99. 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  100. 131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  101. 132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  102. 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  103. 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  104. 137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  105. 138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  106. 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  107. 140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  108. 141 Power of borrowing for hospitals, &c.
  109. 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  110. 144 Power to acquire lands.
  111. 145 Regulations as to compulsory purchase of land, &c.
  112. 146 Procedure if local authority neglect its duty under Act. Procedure under 18 & 19 Vict. c. 68.
  113. 147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  114. 148 Procurator fiscal may sue by directions of Board.
  115. 149 Procedure where nuisance beyond district.
  116. 150 Local authority may require payment of costs, &c from owner or occupier, and occupier paying to deduct from rent.
  117. 151 Penalty for wilful damage of works.
  118. 152 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  119. 153 Recovery of penalties.
  120. 154 Form of applications to the sheriff, &c.
  121. 155 No written pleadings &c. allowed.
  122. 156 Appeal in certain cases.
  123. 156A Appeal to sheriff or sheriff principal in certain cases: sections 54, 55 and 96
  124. 156B Further appeal to sheriff principal: section 96 decision
  125. 156C Further appeal to Court of Session: sections 54, 55 and 96
  126. 156D Effect of appeal in relation to section 54 order, section 55 direction or section 96 decision
  127. 157 No appeal otherwise.
  128. 158 Justices, &c. being members of local authority may act.
  129. 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  130. 161 One or more joint owners may be proceeded against alone.
  131. 162 Penalty on occupier obstructing owner.
  132. 163 Penalty for violating Act or obstructing its execution.
  133. 164 Compensation to be made.
  134. 165 Convictions not void for want of form.
  135. 166 Local authority or Board not liable for irregularity of their officers.
  136. 167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  137. 168 Exemption from stamp duties.
  138. 169 Police constables to aid in executing Act.
  139. 170 Act not to impair right of action, &c.
  140. 171 Powers of Act cumulative.
  141. 172 Constitution of port local authorities.
  142. 173 Jurisdiction of port local authority.
  143. 174 Delegation of powers by port local authority.
  144. 175 Expenses of port local authority.
  145. 176 Proceedings for raising a sum for payment of debt within district of a defaulting authority.
  146. 177 Provision as to ships within the jurisdiction of local authority.
  147. 178 Provision as to district of local authority extending to places where ships are lying.
  148. 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  149. 181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  150. 183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  151. 189 Act not to affect navigation of rivers or canals, or irrigation of lands.
  152. 190 Saving of certain Acts.
  153. 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  154. 193 Reference to Public Health Acts.
  155. 194 Exemption of Government property from building regulations.
  156. 195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  157. 196 Repeal of Acts.
  158. FIRST SCHEDULE
  159. SECOND SCHEDULE

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

159 provisions

Title and introductory text

Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 1897 c.38 An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Public Health in Scotland. [6th August 1897]

Propose a change

1 Short title.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

2 Extent and commencement of Act.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

3 Definitions.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

5 Local Government Board to be central authority.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

6 Powers of Board to inquire into sanitary conditions of district.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

8 Power to Board to appoint commissioners for conducting special inquiries.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

12 Local authorities for the purposes of the Act.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

27 Articles removed to be sold.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

30 Penalty for injuring closet, &c. so as to cause nuisance.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

31 Waterclosets, &c. used in common.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

32 Prohibition or regulation of certain offensive businesses, and byelaws as to offensive businesses.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

35 Local authorities may make byelaws as to pigstyes.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

40 Houses in filthy state to be purified.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

41 Provision for obtaining order for cleansing offensive ditches lying near to or forming boundaries of districts.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propose a change

← Find another law

Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897