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The Minister of Health held a public local enquiry on January
20th, 1927. As a result of this inquiry, the Minister of Health
sanctioned the scheme, with certain modifications, by an Order
issued dated September 23rd, 1927.
Overcrowding.
Overcrowding still exists in certain parts of the Borough, and
the problem of its alleviation is peculiarly complex. The powers
of a Metropolitan Borough Council under the Housing Act, 1925,
are limited to its own administrative area, except in so far as
they may be able to co-operate with the London County Council
in the provision of housing accommodation outside the Borough
boundaries. Consequently, action by the Borough Council is
almost entirely limited to the use of available sites which may
exist within its area, and to re-housing by means of clearance
schemes. In the latter case, where the representation relates to
more than ten houses, the clearance scheme is usually undertaken
by the London County Council.
It must be accepted that in most of the Metropolitan
Boroughs where the congestion is greatest there are no available
housing sites, and in any scheme for the clearance of an unhealthy
area the first consideration must be the question of the provision
of alternative accommodation for the displaced families during the
work of reconstruction.
However anxious, therefore, a Local Authority may be to
improve the housing conditions in its area, these are the difficulties
with which they are faced.
The London County Council has, of course, wider powers
which has enabled them to build estates in various parts of
London and outside the County area, and has thus contributed
in some measure to the relief of the congestion in the Metropolitan
Boroughs. Any extension of their activities in this
direction will therefore naturally be reflected in a general improvement
throughout London.
The London County Council's policy is to allocate the accommodation
available on their estates to the various Boroughs, and