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96
labour and materials for new houses, are all part of the housing
problem. Difficulty is also experienced in maintaining the prewar
standard of efficiency in the repair work done.
There are no matters, other than those referred to in the general
section of the report, requiring special comment in connection
with water.supply, closet accommodation and refuse disposal.
UNHEALTHY AREAS.
110. No areas have been represented under Part I. or II. of
the Housing Act of 1890, in 1918 and 1919, and no complaints
that areas were unhealthy have been made.
GOVERNMENT HUTMENTS AND HOUSES.
111. The Government Housing Estate is under the control
of the London County Council, who act as agents for H.M. Office
of Works.
The Government Hutments are under the control of a Government
Department which has a Works Department for carrying
out the repairs. There are local Estate Managers.
Complaints are occasionally received at the Town Hall relative
to defects in these hutments, and a certain amount of overcrowding
is beginning to be noticed there.
The hutments, although far from ideal residences, are a
reasonable temporary arrangement. They are cold in winter and
warm in summer, and in consequence of the material with which
they are made being impermeable there are times when there is
a great deal of condensation on the internal walls. The extent
of this appears to be governed by the situation of the hut.
The adaptability of the hut as a home is, in the main,
dependent on the occupier; some are very comfortable and the
occupants are quite satisfied with them.
112. The next table shows the details of House.to.House Inspections
during the year.