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ADV ance 4831 Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Bethnal Green, E.2.
June, 1963
To the Mayor , Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen ,
I have the honour to report on the health and sanitary circumstances of
the Borough for the year 1962.
The year has been one of considerable housing progress in which I am
proud to report my Department has played a full part.
With the completion of housing schemes and areas previously represented ,
it is gratifying to see the re-housing of families from very unsatisfactory tenement
blocks such as Columbia Square.
The Council's decision to proceed with the clearance of 351 unsatisfactory
tenements in addition to premises previously included in the 1961/65 slum clearance
programme, will bring to many families now Jiving in unwholesome premises providing
facilities of an era long since past, long awaited improvements in health and well
being.
After much effort to persuade the London County Council to take action
regarding nuisances arising from the misuse of sites it gives great pleasure now to
see temporary homes erected on some of them and when visiting to find families,
many previously homeless, settling down again to family life.
The powers in respect of houses in multiple occupation contained in the
Housing Act, 1961, will enable conditions to be improved in many houses in the
Borough which had not previously come within the scope of the Department.
The awaited legislation for improving conditions in offices has not yet
come into operation but consideration has been given to the staff required and to a
survey of the Borough where there are many slum offices for which no formal powers
at present exist to deal with unsatisfactory conditions.