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family. In Battersea a large number of houses had been entered in a register, but no action taken to
make them subject to by-laws. In the other districts mentioned there is no evidence that the sanitary
authorities will comply with the requirement of the Public Health Act. There are several districts
where but a trifling number of houses have been registered and some others where better, though still
insufficient, progress has been made, the inadequacy of the sanitary staff appearing in some of these
instances to be an explanation of this laxity.
In all cases but one in which by-laws have been made and confirmed under the Public Health Act,
400 cubic feet psr adult person are required in rooms occupied by day and by night, but in Clerken.
well, the exception referred to, the amount is 350. This is to be regretted, and we propose to call the
attention of the Local Government Board to the matter.
In a few districts the rent of tenements, which excludes the houses from being subject to the
by-laws, is so low as to militate against their usefulness. This is also a point to which we propose to
direct the special attention of the Local Government Board.
In view of the fact that the statutory requirement that the by-laws relating to houses let in lodgings
shall be enforced is still so much neglected in many districts in London, we think the Council should
now make a complaint to the Local Government Board, as provided for in section 101 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891. The sanitary authority, with regard to which we think this course should
in the first instance be taken, is that of Bethnal-green, as that authority do not seem to have attempted
to take any action with regard to houses let in lodgings. We shall, if necessary, make recommendations
with regard to other districts later.
The section provides that "where a complaint is made by the County Council to the Local Govern"
ment Board that a sanitary authority have made default in executing or enforcing any provisions
" which it is their duty to execute or enforce of this Act, or of any by-law made in pursuance thereof,
" the Local Government Board, if satisfied after due inquiry that the authority have been guilty of the
" alleged default, and that the complaint cannot be remedied under the other provisions of this Act,
" shall make an order limiting a time for the performance of the duty of such authority in the matter of
" such complaint. If such duty is not performed by the time limited in the order, the order may be
" enforced by writ of mandamus, or the Local Government Board may appoint the County Council to
" perform such duty," and the expenses incurred may be recovered from the sanitary authority."
We have given directions that the report of the medical officer, which contains detailed information
as to the arrangements in each district, shall be printed and published, and we propose that copies
shall be sent to each sanitary authority, together with a copy of our report and of the Council's resolution
thereon. We accordingly recommend—
(a) That complaint be made by the Council to the Local Government Board, pursuant to section
101 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, that the Vestry of Bethnal-green have made default
in executing the provisions of section 94 of the Act with regard to the enforcement of by-laws
relating to houses let in lodgings.
(b) That copies of the medical officer's further report on this question, and of the Committee's
report and the Council's resolution thereon, be sent to each of the London sanitary authorities.
The reports of medical officers of health contain the following references to this subject—
Paddington—The registration of houses was commenced about the middle of the year, an
additional inspector being appointed temporarily for the work. By the end of the year 311 houses were
visited for the purposes of registration, 168 demands for particulars issued, and 1,235 rooms measured
up and their cubic contents calculated. At the end of the year 86 houses were on the register. " It was
noticed in going through the second street selected for registration, that many families displaced from
the first street had migrated to the second, some to make a further move on as the houses in the second
street were registered." The report states that the work had gone on smoothly, and on the whole had
co-operation of the house owners.
Kensinqton—Regulations made under the Sanitary Acts of 1866 and 1874 were enforced in this
district; by-laws under the Act of 1891 have more recently been drafted, but question was raised by the
Local Government Board as to some of them, particularly the Board had expressed doubts as to the
legality of a proposed by-law requiring the landlord of a registered house to give notice to the sanitary
authority when intending to carry out the annual cleansing so as to enable the sanitary inspector to
supervise the execution of the work. In October, 1897, the Sanitary Committee, on the recommendation
of the medical officer of health advised the vestry to submit to the Local Government Board for approval
a draft by-law requiring the landlord or keeper of a registered house let in furnished lodgings to cause
the bedding and other articles in the rooms to be at all times maintained in a clean and wholesome
condition and free from noxious insects. In respect to overcrowding, the vestry on the recommendation
of the medical officer of health, applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to a by-law
requiring the keeper of a registered house to report over-crowding.
Hammersmith—During 1897, 216 houses were registered. The Public Health Committee
decided not to instruct the inspectors to inspect registered houses once in each quarter. The medical
officer of health states that he has no doubt that it will be found to be absolutely necessary to employ
a separate inspector to carry out this work.
Fulham Little has been done in this district, only 24 houses having as yet been registered.
The medical officer of health continues to urge upon the vestry the appointment of a special inspector
for this purpose.
St. Georqe, Hanover-square—"There are 95 registered houses let in lodgings, they have been
inspected and the regulations as to cleansing complied with."
Westminster—" During the year the inspection of these houses has taken up a considerable
amount of time and much good work has been done. In may cases the drainage has been entirely reconstructed,
and additional w.c. accommodation provided for the lodgers in these houses. In two cases
for failing to comply with the by-laws, proceedings were taken and fines amounting to £7 and 21s.
costs were imposed. Several other houses have been registered during the year in the various wards
of the district."
Marylebone—1,266 inspections were made.
Hampstead—The number of houses registered is 840. " Our experience in dealing with houses
let in lodgings by means of by-laws is entirely favourable and on the whole a marked improvement is
manifested in this class of house.
St Pancras—The number of houses registered is 152.
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