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and not exceeding £20,000. On the present estimates of cost the Council's
contribution will be about £11,500.
The Ministry has agreed to contribute the sum of £7 10s. 0d. per annum
in respect of each flat for a period of 40 years, under the provisions of the
Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924.
The Council's grant was made subject to certain conditions, one of
which was that the Council should have the right to nominate the tenants
for a number of the flats in proportion to the amount of the Council's
grant. It was also laid down that the rents to be charged should approximate
to those charged by the Council for its own dwellings and that in
the letting of the flats priority should be given to persons living and/or
working in the City of Westminster.
The scheme provides for the erection of 7 blocks of buildings, each of
5 storeys, containing altogether 180 flats, of which 155 will have 3 rooms,
and the remainder 4 rooms. No one or two-roomed flats will be provided.
The rents to be charged will average about 3s. 6d. per room per week,
exclusive of rates.
It is intended in the first place to rehouse those families, numbering
about 92, at present living in the 36 houses belonging to the Duke of
Westminster. The number of families to be nominated by the Council
will be 27.
Flats in Causton Street.—A small block containing 16 self-contained
flats of two and three rooms was erected during the year by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners on a site at the corner of Regency Street. The
flats are " all-electric," no gas being provided. Rents vary from 18s.
to 21s. per week, according to position and size of rooms, and include
the use of electrical appliances for cooking, etc. A second block of similar
flats will be erected on an adjoining site during 1933.
Underground, Rooms.—Housing conditions during and since the war
have been such that it has been difficult to enforce the law and to deal
satisfactorily with underground rooms, but the special attention given
to underground dwellings separately occupied, and to basement sleeping
rooms during last year, has been continued throughout 1932.
The Public Health Committee expressed the view that as the situation
with regard to housing of the working classes in Westminster is now somewhat
easier and it is not so difficult to find alternative accommodation,
the powers with regard to underground dwellings and sleeping rooms
should be more rigidly enforced. The Committee approved the proposals
of the Medical Officer of Health that owners and other persons having
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