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64
been born and have grown up there. Although the accommodation has gradually become
increasingly inadequate, the tenants are disinclined to leave as they arc protected by the Rent
and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Acts, and would lose the privileges conferred by that Act
if other rooms were taken. Apart from this, it is almost impossible for them to move, as no
landlord would accept tenants with such large families, and who would obviously be unable
to pay the rent for more accommodation.
If overcrowding is to be abated in cases of this type, it would appear they must be
housed by the Local Authority and the inevitable loss fall on the rates.
2. Able to pay for adequate accommodation, but this is not available in the Borough,
and the nature of the occupation does not permit living at a distance.
3. Able to pay for better accommodation, but prefer to have more money for other
purposes rather than expend it on rent.
b. Man, wife, 5 children. 1 room. Rent 8s. 3d. The man is a first class
decorator working for a West End firm. Wages about £6 weekly, a
large part being spent on drink.
n. Man, wife, 8 children. Living in 2 rooms. Ages of children: males, 26,
21, 17, 14, and 4 years; females, 19, 8, and 2. The man has a pension
of 19s. Wages £3 15s. The five elder children contribute a further
£3 15s. to household expenses, the total wages being, of course, much
more. In this case the owner applied to the Court for possession on
account of the overcrowding and arrears of rent. The application was
refused and an Order made to pay 3s. per week off the arrears. A most
inequitable decision.
In a number of instances, such as the above, the grown-up sons and daughters,
although in receipt of good wages, do not make an adequate contribution to the
family exchequer ; they are parasites upon the parents.
In some cases where the family income is adequate, all desire for better
accommodation appears to have been lost, apparently owing to long residence
under conditions of gross overcrowding and even indecency. The following is a
typical case:—
n. Man, wife, 2 daughters aged 19 and 15, and a son aged 17, all living and
sleeping in one basement room.
5. Chronic illness or defect in the parents, such as Epilepsy, Tuberculosis, etc., with
resulting poverty.
h. Man (unemployed, epileptic), wife, 11 children. 2 rooms. Rent 10s.
Family income £2 6s. 6d. Have parish relief.
Apart from the question of transmission of the defect or disease, such persons
are obviously quite incapable of providing adequately for their children, although
this fact does not in the least act as a deterrent.
It would appear that in such cases sterilisation is the proper remedy.
(c) Action taken during the year to deal with Overcrowding.
The London County Council allocate a certain percentage of the accommodation on their
large housing estates, chiefly at Becontree, to suitable families who are recommended by the
Metropolitan Borough Councils. Persons can also make direct application to the London
County Council. The Valuer of that Authority has kindly given me the following particulars