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proper care of babies and young children, and many other
serious conditions. The remainder of the cases were found to
be living in circumstances which were not considered
sufficiently necessitous to recommend for re-housing.
Although the construction of new homes by the Borough
Council continued the number of families on the waiting list
did not appreciably diminish. The demand for good accommodation owned or requisitioned by the Council continues
to be very great and is not expected to diminish. The Council
are anxious to clear areas where numbers of worn-out houses
exist. There is, however, a system of rationing slum clearance
which is likely to hold up any comprehensive scheme for a
considerable period. I want to sound a note of warning with
regard to these houses. Unless notices can be served and
work can be done, whoever the owner, they will get in a worse
state of disrepair, and people will continue to overcrowd
them for years. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that
if this happens we may return for a time to the bad old days
and experience epidemic disease in such weight as has not
been known this century. I urge that no discrimination be
permitted and that every house in the Borough is kept in as
high a state of repair as is compatible with modern ideas of
housing for the people.
BUILDING LICENCES.
The arrangements existing for dealing with applications
for building licences have continued in operation throughout
the year. The Sanitary Inspectors have continued to
investigate and report upon all applications received. The
number of applications received during the year was 1,110.
LANDLORD AND TENANT (WAR
DAMAGE) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1941.
Applications for certificates of fitness for housing purposes
are dealt with by the Senior Sanitary Inspector.
No application was received during the year.
EXHUMATION AND RE-INTERMENT OF BODIES.
During the year seven Licences were granted by the
Secretary of State for the exhumation and removal of bodies
from graves in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Harrow Road.
Each of these was attended by the Sanitary Inspector for
this area, and in each case it was possible to certify that the
removal was carried out in a proper manner.