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In June, 1961, the Minister approved the proposals but pointed out
that his approval did not imply that he will necessarily confirm the
specific compulsory purchase orders or clearance orders submitted to
him by the City Council to implement the programme.
Clearance Areas
In pursuance of the slum clearance programme referred to above, I
made representations during 1961 for dealing with (a) six unfit houses in
the Soho area, and (6) two unfit houses in the Covent Garden area:—
(a) Nos. 20, 21, 22 and 23, Peter Street, W.l, and 6 and 7, Green's
Court, W.l (0-132 acre).
The City Council at its meeting on the 25th May, 1961, resolved that an
Order should be made declaring this area to be a clearance area, and
that a Compulsory Purchase Order should be made for the acquisition of
the properties, in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Act,
1957.
On the 2nd July, 1962, the Minister of Housing and Local Government
confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order, without modification. The
Minister directed the Council to make a "well-maintained" payment
under powers conferred upon him by Section 60 of the Housing Act, 1957,
in respect of 21, Peter Street, W.l.
On the 12th October, 1961, the Council authorised the acquisition
by agreement of the freehold interests in all the premises concerned and
they were acquired on the 13th April, 1962, subject to a number of short
leases. It only remained, therefore, for the Council to exercise its powers
of compulsory purchase in respect of the leasehold interests.
(b) Nos. 20 and 22, Mercer Street, W.C.2.
The City Council on the 27th July, 1961, declared the above two
houses to be a clearance area under Part III of the Housing Act, 1957,
and, at the same time, decided to make the Westminster (Mercer Street)
Clearance Order, 1961, for securing the demolition of the houses. This
Order was made by the Council on the 25th September, 1961, and was
confirmed on the 26th January, 1962, by the Minister of Housing and
Local Government. On the 25th October, 1962, it was reported to the
City Council that both houses had been demolished by the owners in
compliance with the Order.
Housing Act, 1961
Houses in multiple occupation
This Act came into force in November, 1961, and gave 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. Part II
of the Act is of particular importance to Public Health Departments as