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urges the acquisition of an alternative site more expensive than
that selected by ?he Council, and in one such case in 1911, a
certain Borough Council offered to contribute towards the additional
cost which would be involved if the site which it suggested
were chosen. The Borough Council, however, had no power to
make such a contribution, and the proposal was perforce dropped.
Inasmuch as Part II. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890, permits of the clearance of small insanitary areas as the
joint expense of the Council and the Metropolitan Borough
Councils, it occurs to the Housing of the Working Classes Committee
that if the Council were enabled to charge part of the cost
of acquiring a school site on an insanitary area against the Dwelling
House Improvement Fund, it would be useful if power were also
obtained to enable a Borough Council to contribute towards the
cost, should it deem it desirable to do so. The Committee propose
therefore that the application to Parliament should include such
a provision.
Both proposals are purely permissive and any action under
the new powers, if obtained, must, in so far as the Borough Councils
are concerned, be the subject of future agreement. In submitting
the application, however, it will be necessary for the Council to
show in evidence the extent to which further powers are required,
and doubtless Parliament will attach weight to the wishes of the
Metropolitan Borough Councils in the matter. I have accordingly
been directed to ascertain the views of the Council of the Metropolitan
Borough of Poplar on the subject. I shall be glad to be
favoured with a reply to this letter as soon as convenient, and in
any event not later than the last week in September next.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES BIRD,
Deputy Clerk to the Council.
The Public Health and Housing Committee were of opinion it is
desirable powers should be obtained by the London County Council as
suggested, in order that the cost of dealing with insanitary property may
be charged over all London, and also that slum properties may be dealt
with as sites for schools, where the conditions are suitable, without
undue charge on the Education Funds and recommended the Council
That the proposals of the Housing of the Working Classes
Committee of the London County Council in this matter be
approved and supported.