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(i.) closet accommodation; (ii.) water supply and washing accommodation; (iii.) accommodation for
the storage, preparation and cooking of food; and, where necessary, for securing separate accommodation
for every part of such ho ise which is occupied as a separate dwelling; (e) the repair and adequate
lighting of any common staircase; (/) stability, and the prevention of and safety from fire; (g) the
cleansing and redecoration of the premises at stated times, and the paving of the courts and courtyards;
(h) the provision of handrails, where necessary, for all staircases of such houses; and (i) the adequate
lighting of every room. There are various additional provisions as to the execution of works, the position
of persons holding premises under lease or agreement, and the power of the Minister of Health to make
by-laws in default of local authorities.
The section applies to London with the following modifications—(a) as regards the County of
London, the by-laws shall be made by the Council, but shall be observed and enforced by the council
of each metropolitan borough except as regards by-laws for the purposes specified in clause (f) above,
which shall be enforced by the Council; (b) as regards the City of London such by-laws shall be made
and enforced by the common council except as regards by-laws for the purposes specified in clause (f)
above.
Early in 1920 model by-laws were issued by the Minister of Health, and on 27th July, 1920, the
Council made by-laws based on the model by-laws, and applied to the Minister of Health for confirmation
of the same. The by-laws are under consideration by the Minister of Health.
Housing of
transmigrants.
Prior to the war accommodation provided tor transmigrants arriving in this country from Eastern
Europe on their way to America was in many instances very unsatisfactory. During the war the traffic
ceased, but since then numbers of transmigrants are constantly arriving in London. Many come from
countries where typhus, typhoid fever, small-pox, and other dangerous infectious diseases are prevalent,
and the Council on 13th July, 1920, decided to urge the Home Secretary to ensure that transmigrants
during their stay in London should be released only to persons known to have suitable accommodation for
them. As a result it was arranged that the shipping companies engaged in this traffic should make every
endeavour to acquire premises in London to accommodate about 1,000 persons, but at the end of 1920
nothing definite appeared to have been done.
Census of
homeless
pei sons.
Censuses were taken by the medical officer, in continuation of those in previous years, of homeless
persons in order to ascertain the use made of common lodging-houses, and the provision existing for the
accommodation of persons of the poorest class. The censuses were taken on a winter night, and the
total numbers of homeless persons found in streets, on staircases and under arches were : February,
1915, 178; 1916, 44; 1917, 28; 1918, 9; 1919, 8 and 1920, 51.
Soldiers' rest
houses.
In February, 1916, the Council agreed to assist tne Army council in connection with the supervision
of the sanitary arrangements and other kindred matters affecting shelters provided for troops in
London. Since that date 300 houses were measured up and apportioned, and nearly 10,000 visits were
made. The standard of equipment and maintenance was most satisfactory. In March, 1920, the
General Officer Commanding, London District, intimated that these shelters had been discontinued and
expressed his thanks for the Council's assistance.
Common
lodging
houses.

Seamen's
lodging
houses.

In the latter part of 1914, it was decided, owing to the war, not to grant licences to enemy aliensIn
the event of licences being held by aliens (other than enemy aliens) arrangements were made for the
Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to be informed of any non-compliance with the Aliens' Registration
Order. On 17th February, 1920, it was decided that, as seafaring men are able to avail themselves,
more readily than other persons, of simple means of escape in case of fire from upper floors of buildings
of moderate height, the requirements of the Council in connection with the grant of licences for the use
of such buildings as seamen's lodging-houses, more particularly those accommodating fewer than 40
persons, or as houses in which lodgings are let to seamen, be limited, as regards structural works for
securing means of escape in case of fire, to works of the simplest character consistent with adequate
protection from fire risk, provided, in respect of each building, that the requirements be determined on
merits, with full regard to any special statutory provisions affecting the case, and that requirements
limited in accordance with this order be applicable only so long as the house is occupied and used solely
for the accommodation of seamen.
61004 Q 2