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Cases of overcrowding that occur are rarely the subject of direct complaint as they often involve
members of groups under a leader who usually is so fully occupied that he is unlikely to take the trouble
to complain unless conditions are very bad. Such complaints as are received by the department and other
information from a variety of sources indicate a need for much more regular inspection of hotels which
cater for groups.
During the year eight statutory notices were served requiring a reduction in the excessive numbers of
persons for whom accommodation was being provided. The low priced hotels now available were originally
houses mostly in multi-occupation. A relatively small amount of conversion work has been done and the
number of toilets and bathrooms available is minimal. Building costs render this situation inevitable and
without much tighter control and the application of realistic minimum standards it is not surprising that
some of these premises give cause for complaint.
Although the majority of these hotels provide excellent and clean accommodation there area few that
give recurrent trouble year after year. For such cases existing legislative control could well be strengthened
to provide powers to enable local authorities to restrict the use of such hotels and in persistently bad cases
to effect complete closure of the premises.
There is evidence of a changing pattern and in future it is likely that a far greater proportion of the low
priced accommodation required will be provided not in so-called hotels or guest houses, but in 'nonconventional'
types of holiday accommodation such as self-catering flats, apartment-hotels and private
homes. Whilst for economic reasons these developments may be inevitable this demand for a further large
increase in the amount of low priced accommodation which it is reported will be required to meer the
needs of visitors over the next decade must give cause for concern.
The increasing difficulties now arising in popular tourist centres are recognised in 'Hotel Prospects to
1980' which states "tourism can, and does, impose social costs in the form of congestion, local inflation,
pollution and so on. This makes it important that pilot studies into the concept of 'environmental capacity'
be carried out in selected areas as a foundation for preliminary and specific local cost benefit studies of
tourism". In centres such as Westminster where 'saturation' has already occurred the problems are more the
concern of the local authority that those of the regional tourist board.
If by 1980 as is anticipated there will be 50% increase in the number of beds which will be needed for
visitors, particularly in low priced accommodation with "peak demand exceeding capacity in virtually all
areas" i.e. "self-catering flatlets, apartment-hotels and other forms of operations offering minimal services
and few communal rooms" — 'designed to accommodate the family unit' there is an obvious need for more
and detailed information concerning all the available housing now at risk.
Common Lodging Houses
There are two common lodging houses in Westminster. One accommodating 550 men is kept by the
Salvation Army at 18 Great Peter Street, S.W.1, whilst the other for 706 men at Bruce House, Kemble
Street, W.C.2 is directly controlled by the Westminster City Council.
Regular inspections of the premises are made by the public health inspectors, particular attention being
given to fire precautions, the number of lodgers accommodated, sanitary and washing facilities, and to
general compliance with bye-law requirements. Both common lodging houses were well managed and
satisfactorily maintained throughout 1972.
Facilities are provided at Bruce House for the disinfestation of any residents who require this service
together with a doctor's room in which local general practitioners can see their patients. Arrangements also
exist for regular visits to this lodging house by the Council's social workers.
Radioactive Substances Act 1960
Persons who keep or use radioactive materials are, unless exempted, required to register with the
Secretary of State for the Environment.
Copies of certificates of registration, authorisation and supplementary provisions, the cancellation or
variation of certificates issued by the Minister in respect of users in the City, are received and recorded.
Appropriate action is taken in respect of any special precautions so far as they relate to the Department in
connection with the conditions specified in the certificates.