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(3) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Closing
Orders became operative in pursuance of declarations by
owners of intention to close -
(b) Proceedings under Public Health Acts.
(1) Number of dwelling houses in respect of which notices were
served requiring defects to be remedied 11,359
(2) Number of dwelling houses in which defects were remedied
after service of formal notices:—
(а) By owners 5,970
(b) By Local Authority in default of owners —
(c) Proceedings under Sections 11, 14 and 15 of the Housing
Act, 1925 -
The Council are fully alive to the importance of the housing question.
Special inspections are made of the district from time to time to ascertain which
areas are insanitary and which might be suitably dealt with under the provisions
of the Housing Acts.
Besides the Market Buildings Area, other areas are in contemplation, but
owing to the scarcity of open spaces in the Borough the question of rehousing
the persons likely to be displaced has to be carefully considered. One of the
most difficult problems of the Council is to rehouse the people. The tendency
of the Borough is becoming more commercialised so that sites become very
expensive.
Clearance
Area.
On 24th June, 1931, the Council considered a representation by the Medical
Officer of Health under the Housing Act, 1930, respecting an insanitary area.
The Council accordingly declared the area to be a Clearance Area, and
undertook to provide such re-housing accommodation as the Ministry of Health
considered necessary.
The Council on 21st October, 1931, determined to proceed to secure the
clearance of the area by purchasing the land comprising the area, and themselves
undertaking or otherwise securing the demolition of the buildings thereon.
The Council made an Order accordingly, and it is known as the Metropolitan
Borough of Stepney Market Buildings Order, 1931.
In this area are 71 occupied houses, containing 260 rooms, 214 of which are
used for dwelling purposes by 115 families comprising a total of 477 persons,
of whom 331 are adults and 146 children.
The remaining 46 rooms are used as follows:—19 sculleries; 10 rag-sorting
or storage; 7 cellars; 6 shops; 3 workshops; and 1 washhouse; together with a
further washhouse in the courtyard. There are five other properties on the area
covered by buildings, one of which is occupied as a stable and store, two not
being occupied but previously used for a caretaker and animal sheds, and the
other two being used as a stable and workshop for re-conditioning packing
cases. The remaining properties on the area are eight in number, being sites
and remnants of property which has gradually become derelict, and now being
covered with rubbish and refuse, the previous user of such sites being three
houses and workshops and four stables. Incidentally may be mentioned the
fact that the number of owners is 16, none of whom is in occupation. The