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30
From these considerations it becomes apparent that a programme of slum
clearance resolves itself into a programme of rehousing, which of course necessitates
the provision of suitable sites. Indiscriminate representations of insanitary areas
before effective action can be taken for rehousing are futile. There must be a
definite prospect of orderly development.
The task in London is two-fold; clearance of the smaller unfit patches in
densely populated but otherwise fairly satisfactory neighbourhoods, and, concurrently,
a clearance of larger areas which, when cleared, can provide sites for
blocks of modern dwellings.
There have been several surveys by the medical officer of housing conditions
in London, one of the most important being that made in 1911. It was revised
in 1927, and informal conferences with all the borough medical officers took place
in 1931-32. Changes in details are constantly occurring, and during 1933 a further
survey was made to bring the information up-to-date as far as time would permit,
and a report was submitted to the Housing Committee containing a list
of all the known areas suitable for clearance or improvement action under the
1930 Act, within a period of about 10 years. By the end of the year it had not,
however, been found possible to confer in detail with each of the boroughs and
decide upon the areas with which either the borough council or the Council would
propose to deal. Broadly, action on the larger areas with the greater measure of
machinery involved falls to the Council, and the clearance of the small patches—
courts, alleys, and congested groups of houses, but no less serious slums—can usually
be undertaken by the borough councils; rehousing in these cases frequently being
provided by the Council.
Two improvement areas were represented during the year, but procedure under
this section of the Act still presents difficulties and it is hoped that, with a wider
legislative scope, such as is outlined in the Moyne Report, the "improvement" of
suitable areas may be made more easy of achievement.
It must not be overlooked that before a representation under section 1 of the
1930 Act can be submitted, the property has to be examined with great care and in
sufficient detail to make a just representation and withstand antagonistic crossexamination
at subsequent inquiries. The actual premises which form the subject
of the final representation cover only a portion of a larger area examined.
Further, it is necessary to survey areas where condemnable housing is only
suspected, or in connection with inquiries from other departments or authorities or
on official notification of borough schemes.
During the year two medical officers, one of whom, however, retired in June,
and seven inspectors were engaged on the work, but, in order to cope with the increased
activity demanded, arrangements were made towards the close of the year to
increase the staff of the housing section very considerably.
The first definite move in the train of action leading to the clearance of a slum
is usually the representation submitted to his authority by a medical officer of health,
and the statement below indicates the extent of the representations which have been
submitted during the year ended 31st December, 1933:—

*The number of houses affected is often increased by the resolution of the Council, which may
include other land than that dealt with in the representation.