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37
workshops
Without wishing to be dogmatic, the figures here furnished afford some confirmation of
the probability of freedom from overcrowding in the majority of tenements in registered
houses. It may be added that the returns of overcrowding for 1913 took cognisance of any
deficiency, however small, from the standards of cubic space prescribed by the Bye-laws.
Common Lodging Houses.—There are 5 houses in Kilburn Lane with accommodation
for 128 men and 37 women. These houses are only inspected once a year on receiving the
Notices of Application for renewal of licenses. At other times the inspections are made by the
officers of the County Council.
No cases of infectious disease were reported during the year among the users of these
houses. There were 8 deaths registered locally—including 3 from cancer (male 1, females 2)
and 2 from pulmonary tuberculosis (one of each sex).
Inland Revenue Acts.—Three (3) certificates for exemption or reduction of the
Inhabited House Duty—covering 6 flats—were issued last year, and one was refused after
application made in 1920.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920.—The Medical
Officer of Health was consulted with reference to 177 notices under the Act, and 107 applications
for Certificates under Sec. 2 (2) of the Act were received. In the second half of the year 1920
the corresponding figures were 75 and 21.
Of the 107 applications, 82 resulted in the issue of certificates, 9 applications were
refused, and in 16 instances the applications were either abandoned or the issue of the
certificates deferred to the current year.
What action is taken on receiving the certificate is rarely known. Some of the recipients
consider that on receipt of the certificates they are entitled to refuse to pay the increase of
rent—an error which the Department seeks to correct as soon as known. Very occasionally
the officers are subpœned to give evidence either in support of applications to the County
Court for a Suspensory Order and still more rarely in support of applications for recission of
such Orders. In every instance when the condition of the premises constitutes a nuisance—
probably that applies to the majority of the houses—notices are served under the Public
Health Act and (or) Bye-laws thereunder.
L.C.C. Houses.—During the past year 11 families in need of better housing accommodation
were recommended to the Housing Department of the County Council for preferential
treatment. In four instances the families withdrew their applications at a later date. Four
families had secured houses on the Council's Estates before the end of the year and three
others were awaiting " prae-war " tenements, either because the rent was less or the accommodation
in the newer houses in excess of their requirements. In the course of the two years
14 families have secured houses on the Council's new Estates. Unfortunately, the County
Council intimated that no more names could be accepted for the waiting list, as the supply of
new houses was practically exhausted. It is hoped that as other estates are developed it will be
possible to resume the recommendations.
IV.—WORKSHOPS.
Registration.—At the end of 1920 there were 1,397 premises on the Register of which total
247 were closed during the past year. The premises added during 1921 numbered 119 and
the total on the Register on December 31st of last year was 1,269, (Table XXVII). As will be
seen from the appended tabulation the number of premises under supervision has fluctuated
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921
On Register, January 1 1514 1421 1446 1410 1436 1416 1400 1479 1397
Removed from Register 293 138 214 51 75 41 35 174 247
Added to Register 200 163 178 77 55 25 114 92 119
On Register, December 31 1421 1446 1410 1436 1416 1400 1479 1397 1269
in an irregular manner since 1914, due in part to the circumstances attaching to the war and
to the financial difficulties which have ensued since.
The Home Office reported the opening of 32 premises, of which 24 were on the Register
when the information was received.
Below will be found an analysis of the premises on the Register according to their status
under Factory Law. The comparison between the figures for "factories" and