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68
The survey was completed in less than the time arranged, and
the expenditure was kept well within the estimate. The compilation
and collation of the results of the survey were not easy
with a large temporary staff, whose work required repeated checking
and cross-checking in order to balance totals. As will be readily
appreciated, considerable extra work has devolved upon the
clerical staff of the Public Health Department, and it is a matter
of congratulation that the survey has proceeded smoothly and
swiftly, side by side with the routine duties, without any more
than a slight temporary dislocation of work from time to time.
(b) The number of families found to be overcrowded as the result
of the survey is 3,881. Obviously it would not be necessary to provide
dwellings for each of these families, as such a course would leave
that number of dwellings empty, many of which would be available
for re-letting, and, moreover, would not take into account those
dwelling-houses which were found to be empty and presumably
to be to let at the time of the survey.
For the purpose of forming an estimate of the dwelling-houses
required to abate the overcrowding in the area, it was assumed
that the margin of permanently vacant accommodation caused by
changes of tenancy and therefore not available for overcrowded
families could be taken as 2 per cent, of the total accommodation
in the Borough. The remaining accommodation vacant at the time
of the survey, after subtraction of the 2 per cent, is not expected
to be available to a greater extent than 10 per cent., and the
requirements of the district are based in the main upon these two
assumptions. It will be realised that a number of overcrowded
families are at present living in the 1,800 houses situated in the
large and small clearance areas which will be dealt with under
Part I, Housing Act, 1930, as well as in those underground rooms,
parts of buildings and individual unfit houses which it is intended
shall be dealt with under Part II, Housing Act, 1930, and which
now house some 1,728 families. On the basis of the survey the
estimated number of overcrowded families in Part I houses is 148,
.and in Part II houses, 86. The total number of overcrowded families
who will be re-housed as the result of action taken under Parts I
and II of the Housing Act, 1930, is therefore 234, and this number
has been accounted for in the estimation of the number of dwellings
which are required to abate overcrowding.
The accommodation needed for re-housing under the Housing
Act, 1930, specified in section 37, differs from the standard of
accommodation of the Housing Act, 1935, laid down in Schedule I
of the Act as the number of persons permitted to use a house for
sleeping. In addition, the standard laid down in section 37, Housing
Act, 1930, accounts for each member of a family as a person,