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classes. My own impression is that there are large numbers of houses owned by
people whose circumstances are such that to find the necessary capital is wellnigh
impossible, and when one regards the financial assistance which the Government
proposes to give in the case of the erection of new houses, the inference
conveyed would appear to be that any such assistance by the Council in connection
with this section should be borne by the ratepayers as a whole in the interest of
the poorer section of the community.
I would, therefore, recommend—
That the Committee should decide whether they will take action under
section 28 of the Act of 1919, and, if they decide in the affirmative, to
formulate their plan of action under the following headings:—
(1) To appoint the Medical Officer of Health and the Sanitary Inspectors
as Officers under the Housing Acts, and to consider the question of
authorising them to enter for the purpose of survey, examination,
&c., as provided for in Section 35 of the Act of 1909.
(2) To consider whether they will take any action under Section 12 of
of the Act of 1919.
(3) To consider what arrangements should be made for carrying out the
work by the local authority (either by direct labour or by tender)
in cases of default by the owner.
(4) To consider the necessary financial arrangements and staff for carrying
out the work.
(5) To urge upon the London County Council to draft the bye-laws
under Seotion 26 of the Act of 1919 respecting houses divided into
separate tenements.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
FRANK E. SCRASE,
Medical Officer of Health.
(VII.) APPENDICES.
Statistics for the 12 months ended 31st December, 1919.
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which complaints were
made that they are unfit for human habitation:—
(a) By householders Nil.
(b) in the case of rural parishes, by Parish Councils
(2) Action under Section 17 of the Housing Act of 1909:—
(a) Number of dwelling-houses inspected under and
for the purpose of the Section 6
(b) Number of dwelling-houses which were considered
to be unfit for human habitation 6