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Materials generally cost from three to four times what they did in 1914, and in some cases,
particularly metal goods, the increase is substantially greater. A comparison of tenders received in
November, 1919, and November, 1920, showed an increase in cost, due to the increase in the cost of
labour and materials amounting to £86 per habitable room, or approximately 331/3 per cent. The rates
of pay of a mechanic and a labourer together advanced during the year by 39 per cent., i.e., from 3s. 2d.
to 4s. 5d. an hour.
Shortage of labour and inefficient deliveries of materials have extended the time required for the
completion of contracts, and overhead charges have consequently had to be borne over an extended
period.
The Council has published a fully illustrated account of housing in London up to 1912* and also
a detailed account, with seven illustrations, of its present proposals.†
The Council has for many years past given continuous attention to "the question of workmen's
trains, and has endeavoured to secure better facilities for workmen travelling to and from their work.
The question has been considerably affected by the war. Several railway stations were closed on account
of war requirements, although many of these have now been re-opened for passenger traffic. Several,
however, still remain closed notwithstanding representations made by the Council in the early part of
1920 to the Ministry of Transport and the railway companies concerned.
Ordinary passenger fares on the railways have been increased by 75 per cent, and season ticket
rates have also been raised. On 7th July, 1920, the Minister of Transport referred to the Rates Advisory
Committee the question of the revision of workmen's fares, and other fares lower than the ordinary.
Evidence on behalf of the Council was given before the Advisory Committee indicating in general terms
the effect which an increase in workmen's fares would have in accentuating the difficulties of the
housing problem by inducing people to remain in the central and more congested areas near the industrial
centres. The Advisory Committee recommended the following revised scale of charges for workmen's
trains which they suggested should be called Cheap Early Trains:.—
Workmen's
trains, etc.
For any distance not exceeding 2 miles 3d. for return journey,
do. between 2 and 21/3 miles 3½d. do.
do. 21/3 and 2⅔ miles 4d. do.
do. 2⅔ and 3 miles 4½d. do.
do. 3 and 31/3 miles 5d. do.
do. 31/3 and 3⅔ miles 5½d. do.
do. 3⅔ and 4 miles 6d. do.
The recommendations of the Advisory Committee received the general approval of H.M.
Government and came into force on 1st September, 1920, except that with a view to the prevention of
any hardship, the advance on any particular section was limited to a sum not exceeding 2s. a week.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ACCOUNTS AND STATISTICS.
Memorandum by the Comptroller of the Council (Mr. C. D. Johnson) relating to the
Housing Accounts for the Year 1920-21.
The housing accounts as now prepared furnish a comprehensive statement of the financial results
of the Council's operations under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890 to 1919 (Clearance of
unhealthy areas and rehousing under Parts I. and II., and housing under Part III. of the Act of 1890),
and various Street Improvement, etc., Acts (rehousing), and include the income and expenditure relating
to Clearance Schemes, as distinct from, and in addition to, the accounts of the actual dwellings erected
for rehousing persons displaced. The figures are subject to audit, and in certain particulars are provisional
only, and are subject to revision.
The " Clearance Schemes " sections of the accounts cover the acquisition and clearance of unhealthy
areas. The "Working-class dwellings" sections deal with the dwellings. In the case of
dwellings erected in pursuance of an obligation to rehouse persons displaced, the capital account includes
for land the " housing value " of the site used, the balance of the cost of acquiring and clearing the
land being regarded as part of the cost of the Clearance or Improvement Scheme. As regards estates
under Part III. of the Act (schemes to provide accommodation for persons of the working classes, apart
from displacements), the capital account of the dwellings includes the whole cost of the site. The difference
in treatment is explained by the desire to set out clearly the financial results of the Council's management
of the dwellings themselves and by the fact that dwellings under Parts I. and II. and Improvement
Acts represent compulsory provision for rehousing on sites which for the purpose of working-class
dwellings are nearly always unsuitable from a financial point of view, whereas the Council's action
under Part III. (until the passing of the 1919 Act) was voluntary.
The accounts show also the broad division between the " Assisted Scheme " under the Housing
* Housing of the Working Classes in London, 1855-1912 (No. 1555); price Is.
† Housing (No. 2032); price 1s.
61001 s 2