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the previous ones upon which the existing Regulations of most metropolitan
boroughs were based and, on the recommendation of the Advisory
Body of Medical Officers of Health, representations were made to the
Minister suggesting certain amendments, particularly the deletion of
Regulation 7 relating to ventilating and lighting of rooms not used as
living rooms. Subsequently, a letter was received from the Standing
Joint Committee stating that the Minister would be prepared to consent
to Regulations from which Regulation 7 of the Model Regulations had
been omitted, and had also accepted some of the other suggestions made
by that Committee.
The Standing Joint Committee recommended constituent Councils
to submit for approval revised Regulations in the form of the Ministry's
model, as amended.
The new Model Regulations did not differ materially from the old
Regulations but were drafted so as to give greater flexibility in their
administration without impairing the standards prescribed in the old
Regulations.
On the 27th July, 1961, the City Council prescribed new Regulations
for the control of underground rooms in the model form, as amended,
and sought the consent of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
thereto. The Minister's consent was given on the 13th November, 1961.
Housing Act, 1961
This Act, which came into force on the 24th November, 1961,
introduces a new system of housing subsidies and gives to local authorities
extensive new powers for dealing with bad living conditions in houses let
in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family. It also
makes a number of. changes in the law affecting condemned houses,
improvement grants to private owners, repairing obligations and town
development.
The policy embodied in the Act and the main reasons for it are set
out in the White Paper "Housing in England and Wales" (Cmnd. 1290)
which was presented to Parliament in February, 1961.
The Sections of the Act are arranged in three Parts.
Part I deals with financial assistance for housing accommodation
provided by local authorities and other public bodies.
Part II of the Act is of particular importance to Public Health
Departments. The Sections in this part of the Act confer upon the
Council (and concurrently upon the London County Council) stronger
powers of control for securing proper standards of management of houses
let in lodgings or occupied by members of more than one family.
Regulations to be made by the Minister by statutory instrument
will provide a code of management for houses in multiple occupation and
will require the person managing the house to arrange for the proper