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needed. One important proposal was that notification of the reception
of an infant must be given at least 48 hours before reception (instead of within
48 hours after, as at present), which would enable a local authority to intervene,
if necessary, before the child is actually received. In view of this proposal the
Council decided to take no further action to secure effect being given to its resolution
of 18th May, 1920, as to the registration of persons receiving nurse-infants and
of an nil infants
Lying in
homes.
The Council's powers and duties with regard to the registration and inspection
of lying-in homes are described in the Annual Report for 1922 (vol. III., p. 104),
At the end of 1926, 266 premises were on the register, 15 were added during the
year, and 36 entries were removed (owing to discontinuance of user, removal,
etc.), leaving a net total of 245 on the register at the end of 1927. Twelve
premises carried on by registered medical practitioners were exempted during
the year.
The Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, received Royal Assent on 22nd
December, 1927. The Act comes into operation on 1st July, 1928, and as from that
date repeals Part IV (Lying-in Homes) of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1921, requiring the registration of lying-in homes in the County of
London, and provides generally that a nursing home, viz., any premises used or
intended to be used for the reception of and the providing of nursing for persons
suffering from any sickness, injury or infirmity, including a maternity home,
cannot be carried on unless it is registered in accordance with the provisions of
that Act.
Census of
homeless
persons.
Particulars are given in Chapter I. (p. 24) of the result of the census of homeless
persons taken in February, 1927. The total numbers of homeless persons found
in the streets, on staircases and under arches at the censuses in recent years were:—
1915, 178; 1916, 44; 1917, 28; 1918, 9; 1919, 8; 1920, 51; 1921, 56; 1922,
112; 1923, 141; 1924, 82; 1925, 118; 1926, 103; and 1927, 101.
Common
lodging
houses.

A comprehensive investigation was undertaken during the latter part of 1926
into the question of the character, standard and adequacy of the accommodation
provided in common lodging houses and other kindred institutions in the county,
and a report thereon was prepared by the Medical Officer of Health.* On 1st March,
1927, a report † on the whole question was submitted to the Council, when it was
decided to continue the course of action taken by the Council in the performance
of its duties as the licensing authority for common lodging houses in the County of
London and in regard to the character, standard and adequacy of the accommodation
in common lodging houses and kindred institutions.
*Common Lodging Houses and Kindred Institutions. Report by Medical Officer of Health,
1927. No. 2489. 1s.6d.
†Common Lodging Houses and Kindred Institutions. Proceedings of the Council on
1st March, 1927. No. 2491. 6d.