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66
the matter, and they be urged to arrange for the immediate removal
of the occupants of the houses.
The Committee considered a communication from the London
County Council with reference to the Bridge Road Area, which
stated the Housing of the Working Classes Committee do not
consider the area to be one which can properly be dealt with under
Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, and that in view
of the condition of Arnolds Buildings, which are comprised in the
area, they are taking steps to obtain the demolition of those buildings
as a neglected structure. With regard to the remaining houses
comprised in the area, the Committee were of opinion they should be
dealt with by the Borough Council under Part II. of the Act.
A letter was also received from the Home Office stating that the
London County Council had submitted a resolution that the area is
not of general importance to the County, and should be dealt with
under Part II., and requested that Mr. Ritchie be favoured with the
Borough Council's observations on the question whether he should
appoint an Arbitrator under Section 73 of the Act to decide how the
area shall be dealt with. Section 73 enables the Secretary of State
to appoint an Arbitrator to hold a local enquiry and report whether
the case is wholly or partially of any and what importance to the
County, with power to report that, in the event of the area being
dealt with under Part II., the London County Council should
contribute to the cost. The Home Secretary would thereupon
decide whether the case should be dealt with under Part I. by the
County Council, or under Part II. by the Borough Council, subject
to a contribution from the County Council if so decided.
The Committee considered my representation which deals with
a complete area, of which Arnolds Buildings form the chief part,
and if these buildings are dealt with in some other way the whole
of the conditions connected with the area are totally changed.
The Committee did not see that any useful purpose would be