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was deferred until the Conference set up under the auspices of the London County
Council for the purposes of investigating the Thames floods and measures for
preventing them had completed its deliberations.
"The question then remained in abeyance until November, 1929, when the London
County Council again communicated with the Standing Joint Committee. On this
occasion, the London County Council raise a further issue. It is not only the question
of basement rooms in low-lying areas liable to floods, but the general use of basement
rooms as dwellings. The London County Council take the view that in many cases
the use of basement rooms not only as sleeping rooms but also as living rooms is
injurious to health, and they consider that the whole matter should be reviewed in
its broader public health aspect. The proposal before the London County Council is
to amend or extend Part I of the Housing Act, 1925 (so far as London is concerned),
so that all unsatisfactory basement rooms used as living rooms shall be deemed to
be so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation. Such
rooms would then come within the provisions of the Act relating to Closing Orders.
"The proposal would not prevent the rooms, even though a Closing Order were
made, being used for other than dwelling purposes.
"Nor would it prevent other parts of the house being used for dwelling purposes.
"Nor it is contemplated that closure of a large number of existing dwellings
should be effected.
"The powers, if obtained, would be exercised only as and when circumstances
permitted.
"The London County Council also have in mind the obligations w hich would fall
to them as the chief housing authority if rehousing on a large scale had to be undertaken.
In consequence of Closing Orders, embarrassment to their housing operations
would undoubtedly occur.
"The question before the Public Health Committee may be put briefly". Is it
desirable or expedient on the grounds of public health to apply the existing statutory
powers, which deal with basement rooms used for sleeping quarters, to their use for
living purposes as well ?
"The London County Council propose that, if such unsatisfactory basement
rooms were closed for living in, they might be used for other purposes. This may
imply that they might be used as larders, wash-houses or domestic storerooms or,
alternatively, as offices, stores or other non-domestic purposes. As already pointed
out, such rooms, if they be in working-class dwellings and free from human occupation,
become repositories of dampness and rubbish and tend to create nuisance. If these
rooms are permitted to be occupied most of the day by persons engaged in commercial
or other pursuits, the reasons urged for closure seem equally cogent as in the
case of their use as dwellings. And if the matter be pursued to its logical conclusion,
why not include all unsatisfactory basement rooms where persons are engaged in any
trade, occupation or calling ?
"At the present time, apart from the power given by the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, to deal with any premises in a state of nuisance or in such a condition as to
be dangerous or injurious to health (e.g., a basement dwelling without a window or
other means of ventilation), there is no statutory prohibition regulating the use of
basement rooms for other purposes than as sleeping quarters.
"Owing to the shortage of housing, it has not been found practicable in
Westminster to exercise in any degree approaching completeness the existing