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Similarly all applications received by the Borough Council for Civil Building Licences to restore basement rooms
to the required public health standards are referred to the Medical Officer of Health for observation prior to
consideration bv the appropriate Committee.
Housing Act, 1936—Overcrowding.
(a) (1) Number of dwellings overcrowded at the end of the year 633
(2) Number of families dwelling therein 661
(3) Number of persons dwelling therein 2,467 ½
(Units)
(b)Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the year 421
(c) (1) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the year 315
(2) Number of persons concerned in such cases 1,122
(Units)
(d)Particulars of any case in which dwelling-houses have again become overcrowded after the
Local Authority have taken steps for the abatement of overcrowding Nil
(e)Any other particulars with respect to overcrowded conditions upon which the medical officer
may consider it desirable to report Nil
The number of overcrowded dwellings on the Register of Overcrowding at the end of 1950 (633) shows an increase
on the figure for 1949 (527). Some 164 of these were basement dwellings.
Of the cases of overcrowding relieved during the year—
39 were provided with accommodation by the Borough Council.
156 were rehoused by the London County Council.
89 secured accommodation privately, and
31 were relieved by a natural reduction in the size of the family or on obtaining additional
accommodation.
The practice of sending warning letters to owners and landlords against permitting the premises to again become
overcrowded has been continued in all known cases where overcrowding has been abated.
Housing Accommodation : Preferential Treatment.
Five families recommended for preferential consideration in the allocation of accommodation on medical grounds
were rehoused by the Borough Council, and nineteen by the London County Council.
Rehousing I nquiries.
Some 1,440 communications were received during the year from the Borough Director of Housing, the County
Divisional Medical Officer, the County Director of Housing and Valuer, and from other authorities requesting
information on the housing conditions of persons applying for re-housing on grounds of overcrowding, insanitary
conditions, and ill-health. Such information enables the inquirer to assess the degree of priority to be given to the
applicants concerned. In each case a visit was made by the Sanitary Inspector and a report furnished.
New Accommodation.
During the year 109 flats at John Aird Court and 84 flats at Queen's Park Court were completed, and families
selected from the Council's waiting list were rehoused therein.
Fumigation.
Associated Fumigators, Ltd., under an agreement with the Council, removed and treated the furniture and effects
of 153 families with hydrogen cyanide gas during the year. The cost ol the work was £680.
Slum Clearance Survey.
In 1949 the London County Council asked for a survey to be made which would show the extent of the slum
clearance problem in the Borough, the degree of urgency for dealing with particular areas, and the need for " decanting "
accommodation. For two months the Sanitary Inspectors devoted the greater part of their time to a re-inspection of
many properties and in preparing reports. As a result of their efforts, a map was prepared showing
(i) existing clearance areas ;
(ii) premises suitable for slum clearance;
(iii) border line premises ; and
(iv) premises to be watched ;
also a schedule was compiled detailing information as to the properties marked on the map, together with information
as to the number of families (4,047) which would be displaced by clearance. The map and schedule were submitted
to the Public Health Committee of the Council before being sent to the London County Council.