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statutory powers and regulations prohibiting the occupation of underground rooms
as sleeping rooms. Only the worst cases have been dealt with and the term "worst"
includes those which offend most from a structural point of view and others where
overcrowding is pronounced. When underground dwellings are vacated, owners
are warned in writing against re-letting them in a manner likely to constitute illegal
occupation. These warnings have proved effective, and the number of illegally
occupied underground rooms is stsadily diminishing. List year 32 cases were discovered,
and in 18 of them removal to better accommodation solved the difficulty.
The Council has resorted to Closing Orders only in the most aggravated cases.
"The proposal to widen restrictive powers to include unsatisfactory underground
rooms used for the ordinary purposes of human habitation in the interests of the
public health is one which should receive every sympathy. As, however, it has not
so far proved practicable to exercise fully the powers already conferred without
causing undue hardship owing to the extreme difficulty in obtaining better accommodation,
it would appear precipitate and inadvisable to ask for further powers which
are still less likely to be properly exercised in the present circumstances.
"As an ultimate principle in public health, it would be worthy of consideration
as to whether it would not be most desirable to ensure that no basement room or
rooms were let separately as dwellings. That is to say, a condition of occupation
would require the tenancy also of a room or rooms on an upper floor."
Re-occupation of overcrowded or insanitary dwellings.
It has been the practice in this department for some years to
communicate with the owner of houses or rooms from which tenants
previously living in overcrowded or other insanitary conditions have moved
to other dwellings. It is pointed out to the owner that it is his duty to
see that, in re-letting, such conditions do not recur. Re-inspections of
such houses have been made during the year, but in no instance has it
been found necessary to issue fresh notices.
Families re-housed.—48 families living in overcrowded or other
insanitary conditions have been re-housed during the year, 33 by the
City Council and 15 by the London County Council.
London County Council Estates.—Building operations have been in
progress during the year on the St. Helier estate at Morden, and it is
anticipated that a portion of the estate will be ready for occupation in
the early part of 1930. It is understood that a certain proportion of the
accommodation will be allocated to families recommended by the
Borough Councils for preferential treatment on account of overcrowding
or other insanitary conditions, as in the case of certain
other estates belonging to the County Council.
The following table, required by the Ministry of Health, is set forth
in detail:—