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96
at no distant date, and that such legislation will in all
probability enable the area and other similar areas to be
dealt with in a more satisfactory manner and at less cost
to the ratepayers than is the case under the present law"
(see Minutes of the London County Council, 29th July,
1913, at page 472), and that would appear to be the
position now.
The Inquiry was primarily and mainly held to
examine the correctness of the representation made to
the London County Council by the Medical Officer of
Health for Bethnal Green, and on that point I am to remind
the Board that the London County Council has never
questioned the accuracy of the official representation. In
fact, at the inquiry Dr. Butler, on behalf of the London
County Council, submitted statistical information relating
to the area which confirmed the correctness of the
representation made by this Council's Medical Officer
of Health.
With regard to the suggestions made by the Board
that the London County Council should consider as to
dealing with the area by means of a scheme or schemes
under Part II. of the Act of 1890, I am to submit the
following observations for the information of the Board:—
(i) The proposals, even if practicable, would
afford no sufficient remedy for the evils which obtain
in this unhealthy area.
(ii) Officers of the London County Council and
the Borough Council are alike agreed that the only
proper and satisfactory manner of dealing with the
area is by means of a scheme under Part I. of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
As to the proposal to acquire a site in the area for
educational purposes, I am to point out that, if the area
were dealt with by means of an improvement scheme