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The existing Regulation governing the size of windows,
however, required a larger minimum area than the Model
Regulation and the Ministry were therefore asked for authority
to retain it. In reply, the Ministry stated that it was considered
sidered that the existing regulation which stipulated that the
window area should be at least one-eighth of the floor area was
too stringent and one-tenth was accordingly substituted. In a
subsequent review the words "clear of the window frame" were
incorporated with which slight relaxation the requirement was
considered to be a thoroughly reasonable one. The amended
Regulations were accordingly adopted.
Overcrowding
Ninety-three cases of overcrowding came to the notice of
the Public Health Department during the year, and in every
case certificates of overcrowding were forwarded to the Housing
Departments of both the Borough and County Councils.
Overcrowded families rehoused during 1954 numbered 118,
of which 55 were provided with alternative accommodation by
the London County Council and 63 by the Borough Council.
During the past two or three years a large number of
Cypriots have come to live in England. It is the practice for
the Commissioner to the Government of Cyprus to notify the
Medical Officer of Health of intending immigrants and enquire
whether they can be accommodated at the addresses to which
they intend to proceed on arrival without infringing the provisions
of Part IV of the Housing Act, 1936. Enquiries of this
nature numbered 46 during 1954 and involved 82 prospective
immigrants. This precaution against the possibility of causing
overcrowding does not appear to be entirely effective, however,
as there is no means of controlling the movement of Cypriots
after arrival in this country. One or two cases of overcrowding
have already been discovered which were due to immigrant
families subsequently removing to other accommodation.
Applications for Rehousing
The Medical Officer of Health dealt with 644 applications
for rehousing supported by medical certificates recommending
priority consideration on health grounds, which were referred
by the Council's Housing Department.