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My report was acknowledged, and shortly afterwards a communition
was received by the Town Clerk from Mr. Gomme to the
effect that as some time must elapse before the London County
Council would be in a position to deal with the report it would be
advisable to close as many as possible of the worst of the houses
under Part 11. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1892.
The letter also asked for an expression of opinion by the Medical
Officer of Health on this point.
I reported to Mr. Voss and a copy of this, together with a resolution
of the Public Health Committee in support, was forwarded to
the London County Council.
Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Church Row, N.E.,
November 11th, 1902.
Re DIGBY STREET AREA.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES, 1890
Adverting to Mr. Gomme's letter advising that proceedings should be taken
under Part 2 of the above Act with reference to some of the worst houses
included in the above scheme, I may mention that I carefully considered this
point before making any representation under Part 1 of the Act. I am strongly
of opinion that no useful purpose would be served by closing a few of the
houses.
The insanitary condition of the large portion of the dwellings coloured blue
on the map is due either to faulty original construction or to the narrowness
of the streets in which the houses stand, though in some instances these conditions
are accentuated by the state of disrepair into which the houses have
fallen.
A great deal of sanitary work has already been accomplished in this area
under the orders of the Public Health Committee. New drains have been
laid, new w.c.'s have been fitted, floors have been dug out, roofs repaired, and
yards repaved.
In view of these works I doubt if a police-court magistrate could be induced
to make closing orders.
Moreover, in the present congested state 01 the Borough it would be cruel to
close a number of houses until there is a reasonable prospect of a rehousing
scheme.
(Signed),
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE,
Medical Officer of Health