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17
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1894.
Section 30, of the Act states that, "It shall be the duty of the Medical Officer of
Health of every district to represent to the Local Authority of that district any
dwelling-house which appears to him to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to
health as to be unfit for human habitation,"
In compliance with this direction I have from time to time advised your Vestry
(the authority under the Act), to apply for closing orders with respect to some of the
worst class of slum-property in Southwark.
Moreover after closure for a term of certain of these houses, your Vestry have
passed resolutions ordering their demolition.
Certain unwholesome dwellings which can be put into an habitable condition,
have been reported to your Health Committee.
Such houses have been closed pending alterations—under the provisions of the
Public Health Act.
It should, however, be clearly understood that those dwelling-houses which can
be dealt with only by demolition, if a due regard be paid to health considerations, are
usually taken under the Housing Act.
If closed by virtue of the less stringent Health Act, there is nothing to prevent
their being a standing danger, for an indefinite period, to the health of the public or
of the inhabitants of neighbouring dwellings.