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24
July, 1911, in order that the correspondence between Mr.
Percy A. Harris, L.C.C., and the Town Clerk, might be
circulated amongst the members of the Council.
Additional information relating to Family A referred
to in the report—Occupy three rooms; total cubic capacity
sufficient.
Copy of Correspondence referred to:—
Percy Lodge,
Campden Hill, W.
14th June, 1911
Dear Sir,
I should feel obliged if you will kindly bring the
attention of your Council to the number of cases of
overcrowding that are alleged to exist in the neighbourhood
of Wolverley Street School. As many as
eight people are said to be sleeping in one room in
Wolverley Street, while in a certain house in Mape
Street, there are said to be eleven in one room. The
permission of this overcrowding brings high rents into
the pockets of the owners of these houses, and keeps
those rents high and is in every way objectionable. I
know it is held that the allowing of a family to live in
one room sometimes enables a man to tide over a
period of unemployment, but such overcrowding permanently
undermines the mental and bodily health of
the children, unfits them for education, and sows the
seeds of disease that prevents them growing into
healthy citizens. I do pray your Council to take such
action as their powers under the Public Health and
Housing Acts allows, while if my Council is approached
in the matter I will endeavour to get its co-operation.
Please lay this letter before your Council.
Yours faithfully,
Percy A. Harris,
L.C.C. Representative S.W. Bethnal Green.
The Deputy Town Clerk,
Borough of Bethnal Green.