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89
CONFERENCE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT,
1891.
In May, the London County Council convened a conference
for the purpose of exchanging views as to the results of
experiences gained in the administration of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, and to discuss any general principles which
such experience showed it was desirable to adopt.
On the invitation of the London County Council your
Council appointed two representatives, Dr. Yisger and Mr.
Councillor T. White, in conjunction with the Town Clerk and
Medical Officer of Health. Your representatives attended the
meetings at the County Hall, Spring Gardens, on the 7th and
8th July, at which the following resolutions were passed. These
were submitted to your Council for consideration, the London
County Council inviting your observations thereon:—
Proposals adopted at Conference on Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, and the Committee's decisions thereon.
Housing.
(1). That inasmuch as many difficulties have arisen in the administration
of the bye laws relating to houses let in lodgings in consequence of a rental
limit being fixed, it is desirable that there should be no rental limit of
exemption, but that the bye-law should be framed so as to apply only to
such houses as are registered by the sanitary authority.
(2). That inspections should be made during the early hours of the
morning at other houses where overcrowding is suspected.
Note.—This would entail an amendment to the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891. At present visits can only be made between the hours
of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., except by special warrant obtained from a
Magistrate authorising entry at any hour of the day or night. An
amendment of the Act is therefore advisable, with a view of
remedying overcrowding.
Agreed.
Underground Rooms.
That a single angle of light and air to underground dwelling rooms
should be adopted.
That no underground room not complying with the conditions laid
down by Section 96 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, should be
used for sleeping.
Agreed.