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Houses Let in Lodgings.—The By-Laws which have been
in force since 1911 have become abrogated, new London County
Council By-Laws have been prepared and forwarded to the Ministry
for their approval. In the meantime this class of property has
been dealt with, as far as possible, under the powers conferred by
the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Such legislation does not,
however, give the Inspector wide enough scope for the necessities
of the case.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. In conformity
with a memorandum received from the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries which suggested that a National Week should be held
in the Autumn in the district of every Local Authority responsible
for the enforcement of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919,
tliis Council selected the week commencing 1st November. Posters
were displayed throughout the Borough and Commercial Houses
and Firms having premises abutting on the River Creek and River
Thames were circularised with a view to taking joint action for the
destruction of rats.
It appeared from subsequent inquiries that the attempt at
concerted action received considerable support and valuable
reports indicative of success were received from various sources.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions)
Act, 1920. In connection with the provisions of this Act, and
in order that the inhabitants of the Borough would be more thoroughly
acquainted with the Act, explanatory pamphlets were prepared
and circulated throughout the Borough.
Under the provisions of the Act, landlords are allowed to make
certain increases of rent and occupiers are afforded the opportunity
of applying to the Sanitary Authority for a Certificate to the effect
that the house is not in all respects reasonably fit for human
habitation, or is otherwise not in a reasonable state of repair.
From the 14th July to 31st December only 126 such applications
were received from occupiers for certificates. Of this number
94 certificates were granted. No certificates were granted in the
remaining 32 cases, this being principally due to the fact that
the work required to be executed had been satisfactorily carried
out.
HOUSING SCHEME.
The earlier months of the year were fully occupied in discussing
with the Ministry of Health both by correspondence and innumerable
interviews the question of the provision of houses in the
Borough. At one of the earliest interviews the Council was called
to account for not having considered the provision of a much larger
number of houses than had already been thought necessary, but