London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1921

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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48
work places, and consequently more visits than those stated have been
paid to the premises.
The new by-laws drawn up by the County Council under the Housing
and Town Planning Act have not yet been sanctioned by the Ministry,
probably on the grounds that they would entail considerable structural
alterations which in present circumstances would be very expensive.
Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.—Under this Act no person
might demolish or convert premises used as dwellings to other uses
without the consent of the County Council. That body asked for the
observations of the City Council in instances, viz., 2, Carlisle Street,
7 to 12, Wardour Street; 63-65a, Greek Street; Vernon Mansions;
50, 52, 54 and 58, Broadway ; Shaw's Flats, Broad Court; 62 and 64,
Brook Street; 48, 50 and 52, Chadwick Street; 65 and 67, Great Peter
Street.
This useful control terminated at the end of the year.
Rent Restriction Act.—Only four applications for certificates were
received.
Housing.—Special inspections were made of the premises in Ross
Street, Willow Street and Place, Kinnerton Street, Douglas Place, Ann's
Place, Esher Street, Middle Street, Rutland Street and Commercial
Place. The leases of many houses in St. John's and Victoria Wards
have fallen in during the year, and have been surveyed for dilapidations
by the freeholder's surveyor. In many cases the houses are
being put in good order by the freeholder, especially in Page Street,
Hinchliffe Street, Vincent Street, Kensington Place and Esher Street.
With regard to the remedying of defects found on inspection, notices
were served under the Public Health (London) Act, and not under the
Housing Act. No action was taken under Sections 17, 18 or 28 of that
Act. The figures as to defects found are given in the table above, but
the Ministry require a separate form to be filled up which is appended.
A shortage of houses still exists though not to such a marked extent
as in previous years. In a number of cases married sons are living with
their parents, and overcrowding has not been able to be abated in a few
cases. In 18 instances the use of underground rooms has had to be
permitted as the occupants were unable to find more suitable premises.
There has been during the year a considerable improvement, and a large
number of people have been able to change houses during the year.
- Progress has been made in the erection of two of the three blocks of
dwellings being erected by the Peabody Trustees in Great Peter Street,
and they will be available for letting in 1922,