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101
VI.—LEGISLATION.
§1-GENERAL ACTS.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT, 1903.
(3 Edw. 7, Ch. XXXIX.)
Section I extends the maximum term for the repayment of loans from 60 to
80 years. The Local Government Board in their circular letter on the new
Act, dated 22nd September, 1903, stated that they propose as a general rule
to allow the full term of 80 years for the repayment of money borrowed for the
purchase of freehold land, and 60 years for the repayment of money borrowed
for the erection of buildings under the Housing Acts.
Section 2 permits the transfer of any powers and duties of the Home Office
to the Local Government Board.
Section 3 imposes Jhe obligation upon any authority, company, or other
person acquiring land under any Act, or Order, to comply with the provisions
in the Schedule as to the provision of dwelling accommodation where thirty or
more persons of the working classes may be displaced from occupation and not
to enter on the dwellings so occupied until the Local Government Board have
approved of a housing scheme.
Section 4 enables the Local Government Board to order a scheme to be made;
in case of failure to make such scheme, the order may be enforced by mandamus.
Section 5 amends the procedure for the confirmation of an improvement
scheme.
Section 6 enables a proposed scheme that has been framed in an Order to be
amended before confirmation.
Section 7 enables neighbouring lands to be included in the area of a scheme.
Section 8 amends the law with regard to Closing Orders. Under the old
Act notice had first to be given to place the premises in repair. The Act
now gives power, in cases in which the Local Authority thinks a notice cannot
or will not be obeyed, to apply to a magistrate and take out a summons for
a closing order without giving the preliminary notice.
Section 9 provides that when houses are demolished under the Act, and the
sale of the materials fails to cover the cost of the demolition the balance can be
recovered from the owner as a civil debt.
Section 10 gives a speedy and more efficacious way of recovery of possession
of a house in respect of which a closing order has been made.
Section 11 empowers the Council if they supply lodging houses, or if they
supply housing accommodation, to provide and maintain in connection with such
accommodation, shops, recreation grounds or other buildings or land, which in
the opinion of the Board might serve a beneficial purpose. An authority may
for instance, build a block of artisan's dwelling, with shops or workshops, or
provide in connection with artisan's dwellings a playground for children or a
gymnasium.