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81
The tables and the condition of the areas generally, were
considered by the Housing Committee, and subsequently at a joint
meeting of that Committee and the Health Committee. It was
decided that the best way of dealing with the Netherwood Street
area, was to add to the number of houses in the area that are on
the register of houses let in lodgings, and to enforce the bye-laws
relating to registered houses. As to the Kilburn Vale area, it was
thought that further steps might with advantage be taken. This
area has already been the subject of much discussion. On June 8th,
1903, Dr. Herbert Littlejohn, who was then Medical Officer of
Health, represented the area to the London County Council, under
section 4 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. Dr.
Littlejohn's representation was to the effect that "the generally bad
arrangement of the houses and groups of houses, the want of light,
air, ventilation, proper conveniences, and the closeness and bad
arrangement of such houses and groups of houses are dangerous
or injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the buildings in the
area"; and he expressed the opinion that these evils could not be
effectually remedied otherwise than by an improvement scheme.
This representation was considered by the London County Council,
who, on November 10th, 1903, resolved
"That the case of the houses and courts comprised in the
Kilburn Vale area, in relation to which the Medical Officer of
Health of the Metropolitan Borough of Hampstead has made
an official representation, dated June 8th, 1903, under Part I.
of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, is not of
general importance to the County of London, and should be
dealt with under Part II. of the Act."
The matter was further discussed by the Borough Council,
who on March 16th, 1905, passed the following resolution:—"That
the London County Council be approached with a view of ascertaining
whether in the event of this Council's dealing with the area in
question, they would be willing to contribute towards the cost of a
scheme under Part II. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890." On April 27th, 1905, the County Council replied declining
to make any contribution. Since that time no further effort was
made by the Council to deal with the area by means of a scheme,
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