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89
In 1898 the London County Council adopted the following three
resolutions:—
(a) That housing accommodation should be provided for a
number of persons equal to that of the working classes
displaced by any scheme under the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890, or under the provisions of any Improvement
Act, but not necessarily in the immediate neighbourhood
of the displacement, due consideration being given to
the needs of those living on any particular area; and that a
register be kept of all persons displaced, such persons if
possible to have the first refusal of a tenancy.
(b) That all clearances under the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890, which involve re-housing, be done at the
sole cost of the Council.
(c) That, apart from re-housing required in connection with
clearance or improvement schemes, and provided that no
charge be placed on the county rate thereby, the Council
do approve of action being taken under Part III. of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, with a view to
the purchase of land and the erection of dwellings thereon,
and also with a view to purchasing or leasing suitable
houses already, or hereafter, to be built or provided for the
purpose of supplying housing accommodation.0
It is obvious that if, when insanitary areas are cleared or
improvement schemes carried out, accommodation for the displaced
is not found, the result, however advantageous in the interests of
public health, would be such as would be likely for a time to
aggravate overcrowding. Not only is that so in a theoretical sense
alone, but it has been proved by experience which has followed
various metropolitan clearances. As already pointed out, the zone
immediately surrounding the area of clearance has become more
overcrowded than before.
° See also Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, Sections ii. 56, 57, and
Housing oj the Working Classes Act, 1900.