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9
Although an enomous number of houses have been erected in and around London
during the past few years, the greater portion have been designed for the use of what may be
termed the middle classes, and the majority of these houses have been built for sale only—not
to be let. It is probable that the supply of houses of this character is now almost equal to the
demand, but accommodation for what is usually called the working class still remains deplorably
inadequate—the deficiency being particularly acute for that section of the community whose
wages are the lowest and whose families, unfortunately, are usually the largest. The provision
of suitable accommodation which can be let, at rents such tenants can afford to pay,
appears to be an economic problem almost impossible to solve. The cost of building is so
high that private enterprise appears to be unable to supply what is required, even when
omitting practically everything in the nature of architectural embellishment. It would
appear that the necessary accommodation can only be provided by Local Authorities at a loss,
and consequent charge on the rates.
The London County Council's Scheme for erecting large blocks of flats on the Ossulston
Street area will probably commence at an early date, but the development of such schemes is
always difficult owing to the necessity of finding accommodation for the people displaced.
Practical]}' the only large vacant site in the Borough available for building purposes is the
Foundling Hospital site. Here accommodation could be provided for some thousands of
persons without encountering the difficulty of housing displaced tenants.
If the Foundling estate could be developed for this purpose, the Ossulston Street area
and adjoining parts of Somers Town, much of which is insanitary and ripe for condemnation,
could then be cleared. As this area is adjacent to three great railway termini, it would appear
to be an admirable site for industrial purposes, such as, for instance, Covent Garden Market,
if the removal of this is still contemplated. It may be urged that the Foundling Hospital
site is too central or too expensive, or that the amenities of the district would be destroyed
by the erection of working-class dwellings.
The reply to the first objection is, that owing to the exigencies of their work, many
persons cannot live in the outskirts of London, but must be near their work. Eighteen per
cent. of the adult male population of St. Pancras are employed in Railway or other forms of
transport, and the majority of these must live adjacent to their employment. The other
objections to the proposal appear to be inadequate when contrasted with the amount of physical
deterioration and moral degradation caused by existing housing conditions.
In conclusion, I should like to express my thanks to the Members of the Public Health
Committee for the consideration they have so invariably accorded to me, and to the staff of the
Department for their very loyal co-operation.
I am, Ladies and Grentlemen,
Your obedient Servant
Medical Officer of Health.
March, 1927,