London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hammersmith 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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(iv) Section 19—To make a "Direction" to fix as a limit the highest number of
individuals who should live in a house having regard to the existing
amenities available.
Cases are dealt with as they are found by the District Public Health Inspectors
during the course of their duties. In addition, during 1963 house to house inspections
have been carried out in two separate districts in the Borough.
In common with other London Boroughs, difficulties have been experienced in
the administration of this legislation: in Hammersmith the following problems were
encountered:—
(i) Lack of space for the housing of additional amenities.
(ii) Tendency for landlords to give notice to tenants and thereby aggravate
the housing situation.
(iii) Operation of the Direction Procedure under Section 19 is severely
restricted.
A measure is before Parliament at the time of writing, and it is hoped that this
will assist further in improving conditions in houses in multiple occupation.
The following is a summary of the work undertaken this year:—
| No. of Premises inspected | 129 |
| (464 lettings) | |
| No. of premises where informal action taken | 36 |
| No. of premises where no further action taken under the Housing Act (Public Health Act notices were served for a number of defects discovered) | 93 |
| Analysis of informal action taken: | Notices Served |
| Re: Section 12 (Management) | 20 |
| 15 (Standards) | 35 |
| 16 (Fire escape) | 4 |
| No. of premises where formal action taken | 18 |
| Analysis of formal action taken: | |
| No. of Management Orders made (S.12) | 13 |
| No. of Directions made (S.19) | 1 |
| Notices Served: | |
| Re: Section 15 (Standards) | 6 |
| 16 (Fire escape) | 5 |
| Total No. of Inspections made | 577 |
Overcrowding in the Borough remains a very serious problem for although
there is ample legislative power, its enforcement would only result either in
placing an additional burden on the Welfare and Children's Departments of the
County Council or in compelling families to leave this borough and embarrass
other authorities.
The provision of additional housing accommodation continues:—
Preparatory work is proceeding on the following sites:—
Hammersmith Grove/Goldhawk Road (96 units)
Latimer Road area (South) (430 units)
Building operations commenced during the year on the following schemes:—
Mardale Street/Southbrook Street (92 units)
Netherwood Road (24 units)