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176
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health and Housing
Committee.
Gentlemen,
The suggestion of the appointment of an additional inspector
for "Houses Let in Lodgings, or occupied by members of more
than one family," having been referred by the Council to the Public
Health and Housing Committee, one cannot do better than again,
with some additions, present the report, dated September 11th,
1907, on the same subject, which was considered by the Council on
October 3rd, 1907.
From the report it will be seen that the enforcing of the
cleansing of verminous rooms under the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1904, Section 20, was added to the duties of
the inspector on October 5th, 1905, and, since that date, in order
that the work of the Inspector for Houses Let in Lodgings might
be more effectually carried out, the Council added to his duties the
enforcement of (a) the cleansing of water closets, etc., under Clause
25 of the By-laws made under Section 39 (1) of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891; (b) the By-laws made under that Section (2)
with respect to the keeping of water-closets supplied with sufficient
water for their effective action; and (c) the By-laws made under
Section 50 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, with respect
to the cleansing of cisterns.
The Council has also empowered the inspector to act under
the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1909, Section 17 (7), in
respect of underground rooms habitually used as sleeping places;
and under the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1907, Section 78, with respect to the supply of water to tenement
houses.
Whether the Public Health and Housing Committee do, or do
not, recommend the Council to appoint the additional Inspector for
Houses Let in Lodgings, experience shows that, for the advantage
in keeping houses fit for human habitation, saving time and
preventing duplication of work and annoyance to the landlords and
tenants, the inspector should be empowered to serve intimations
and notices, and to enforce legal proceedings, in respect of defective
roofs, eaves gutters, rainwater pipes, flooring and yard paving.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
FREDK. WM. ALEXANDER,
Medical Officer of Health.