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9
insanitary. This need was met by the Act introduced by Sir
Richard (now Viscount) Cross, and known by his name. By means
of this Act, the Medical Officer of Health, whenever he saw cause
for it, might make an official representation with regard to any such
area. The Home Secretary had then to hold an inquiry into the
merits of the scheme, and finally appoint an arbitrator to adjudicate
upon the various claims made, assessing the compensation to be
paid. For the payment of the expenses under this Act, a fund
called the "Dwelling House Improvement Fund" was formed, and
power was given to raise money out of the rates (excluding the City)
or by borrowing for the formation of such fund, the accounts of
which were thereafter to be kept separately. To both of these Acts
amending Bills were introduced to Parliament, and became law.
When these Acts had been in force a few years it was realised
that very little was being done under them, and a Select Committee
of the House of Commons was appointed to consider if any
further amendments were necessary. The final result of the report
of this Committee was the passing of the Artizans' Dwellings Act,
1882, to amend both Torrens' and Cross's Acts. But even this new
Act did not seem to remove the difficulties of the problem. Hence
it came about that in March, 1884, Lord Salisbury moved in the
House of Lords for an appointment of a Royal Commission to
inquire into the whole matter. His Majesty the King (then
H.R.H. Prince of Wales) was appointed on this Commission, and
took an active part in its proceedings.0 The report of this Commission
made various important recommendations for the amendment
and stricter enforcement of the existing law, and brought forward a
number of new suggestions which were incorporated in the new
Housing Act, 1885, in the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, or in
other similar measure. In 1890 a consolidating Act incorporating
housing legislation up to that date was introduced, and, with some
amendments, is the Act which is now in force. This is known as
the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
0Amongst other members of the Commission were Cardinal Manning, Lord
Salisbury, Lord Brownlow, Lord Carrington, Mr. G. J. Goschen, Sir Richard
Cross, Mr. Torrens, Mr. Henry Broadhurst, Mr. Jesse Collings, and Mr. Samuel
Morley. A large number of expert and other witnesses were called, and an
immense mass of information gathered together.