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5
Social medicine statistics
As indicated in previous reports, various vital statistics in relation
particularly to occupational class have been obtained from 11 of the 14
towns in the United Kingdom which have a population between
200,000 and 300,000. These now cover the projected period of three
years. An analysis will be carried out and fuller details will be published
in the next annual report.
New fronts
In section A, the statistical section, I have included three paragraphs
(lung cancer, coronary disease, and deaths under age 65) which call
attention to the main causes of death in relation to loss of productive
manpower. With an ageing population this problem is increasingly
serious, but it must be remembered that, apart from the fatal diseases,
there are many crippling and relatively non-fatal conditions which also
contribute to loss of production. There are signs that certain of these
causes are coming within the practical range of preventive medicine.
Housing
The proposed Housing Repairs and Rents Act will confer additional
powers on local authorities in relation to unfit houses under the Housing
Act, 1936. Local authorities will be required to submit to the Minister
within one year of the passing of the Act, proposals for dealing with unfit
houses in their area, these proposals being submitted in London jointly
by the London county council and the Metropolitan borough councils.
In order to make the fullest use of existing housing accommodation,
the demolition of properties included in clearance areas (including
those under orders already confirmed), can be postponed where the
properties are of an adequate standard or can be made adequate for
the time being, and local authorities can acquire unfit houses which can
be made adequate for the time being as an alternative to making a
demolition order. Houses in existing demolition or clearance areas which
are in an adequate state of repair can be occupied temporarily under
licence from the local authority. Contributions from the Exchequer
will be provided towards the cost of repair, improvement and maintenance
of such houses.
It is hoped that the Act will provide a clearer statutory definition of
the phrase "unfit for human habitation." Local authorities may require
the carrying out of works where houses are occupied by more than one
family and are unsuitable for such occupation as they stand. In order to
encourage greater use of the provisions in the Housing Act, 1949, whereby
grants can be made to property owners for the improvement of houses
which they own, it is intended to provide a certain relaxation of the
conditions under which such grants are made. The Bill is also concerned
with increases in rent.
A preliminary survey of all properties in their districts is being
undertaken by the sanitary inspectors in connection with the proposals
for dealing with unfit houses which have to be submitted to the Minister.