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improved by the Council. This recommendation was considered by the Council on October 31st, 1893,
and an amendment was then carried instructing the committee to communicate with the freeholders,
and to urge upon them the need of taking the necessary steps to put an end to the existing evils. In
November, 1894, the Committee reported that Lady Henry Somerset, the freeholder of a portion of the
represented area, had indicated her willingness to co-operate with the Council, and the Committee
added that they hoped before very long to be in a position to submit a scheme which would meet with
the Council's approval.
Bell-lane area, Whitechapel.—In February, 1894, a memorial from the Whitechapel Board was
presented to the Council, asking that this area might be proceeded with at the earliest practicable
opportunity. The Board was informed by the Public Health and Housing Committee that they were
unable to recommend the adoption of "so large a scheme as would be involved in the widening of Belllane
and Sandy's-row combined with clearance of the central area." A deputation of the Board was
received by the Committee on March 19th, and was informed that the Committee was unable to depart
from the position it had taken up in regard to the matter.
The widening of Sandy's-row was proceeded with by the Improvements Committee during the year.
James'-street, Kensington.—The Public Health and Housing Committee reported to the Council
in February, 1894, upon a scheme for dealing with a number of houses on the east side of James'street,
Kensington, and with some adjacent property. The Vestry of Kensington asked the Council to
contribute a moiety of the cost of this scheme. The Council resolved that having regard to the
information in its possession, it was unable to make the contribution in question.
Millbank Prison Site.—On October 24th, 1893, the Council had resolved to acquire about ten
acres of the rear portion of the Millbank prison site at the sum of £2,500 per acre for the purpose of
Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, subject to certain conditions as to
approaches. The Committee were subsequently in negotiation with H.M. Office of Works as to the
conditions under which the Government would be prepared to transfer the land to the Council. The
Committee, on May 8th, 1894, presented to the Council a report showing the conditions under which
this land could be obtained, and the Council adopted the recommendation of the Committee that the
land should be purchased in accordance with these conditions.
Proceedings in respect of houses represented as unfit for human habitation.