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33
An inquiry has been made from the medical officers of health of the metropolitan
boroughs as to the effect of legislation concerning underground rooms
contained in section 17 (7) of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909 (which
has been re-enacted in an amended form in subsequent legislation), in reducing
the number of underground rooms used for sleeping purposes. The following are
summaries of typical examples of the replies received :—
In Bermondsey, in the course of carrying out the housing policy of the Borough Council,
a large number of underground rooms have been swept away and the majority of those at present
illegally used for sleeping purposes are in insanitary areas. Twenty-eight underground rooms were
closed between 1st January, 1936, and 30th June, 1937, under the Housing Acts.
In Deptford eighty-four underground rooms have been closed within recent years.
In Hackney sixty underground rooms have been closed since 1909, while 273 illegal occupations
of underground rooms have been dealt with otherwise than by means of Closing Order
procedure, i.e., by alterations which made the rooms conform to the requirements of the regulations
or by acceptance of undertakings not to permit occupation contrary to statute. In addition,
ninety-nine underground rooms in clearance areas have been closed and fifty-five underground
rooms exist in clearance areas now being dealt with.
In Hampstead 1,683 underground rooms have been found to be illegally occupied since
1909, and of these, 1,234 have been closed, their illegal occupation discontinued or made to
conform to the requirements of the Public Health Act or the Housing Act.
In Islington 427 underground rooms have been closed since legislation was introduced
prohibiting the use of such rooms.
In Kensington, as a result of powers obtained in 1933, 1,183 underground rooms were closed
during the period 1934-1936 for living and sleeping purposes.
In Paddington it is estimated that approximately 600 underground rooms have been closed
for sleeping purposes since the legislation came into force.
In St. Pancras 170 underground rooms were dealt with during 1936 under Closing Orders,
while for human habitation the use of 143 has been discontinued; 68 have been vacated by the
tenants' own efforts or not used for human habitation by re-arrangement and 40 have been
rendered fit for human habitation.
In Southwark all underground rooms used for sleeping purposes have been closed, while
2,349 occupied for living purposes only are being dealt with.
In Westminster 1,932 underground rooms, including 773 lettings, have been closed or rendered
fit for human habitation since the legislation came into force.
An inquiry was made during the year as to the reduction in the number of
underground bakehouses in London. In 1907 the number was approximately
1,400, which by 1937 had been reduced to 776.
Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, and Tuberculosis Order, 1925
Since 1st July, 1908, it has been the practice for the Council to take samples of
liquid milk arriving by road or rail from the provinces for biological examination
to ascertain the extent to which the milk supply on its arrival in London is infected
with tuberculosis.
In consequence of the decision arrived at in 1934 that no useful purpose would
be served by sampling milk brought into London in large tanks on account of the
practical impossibility of tracing the farm of origin, samples are taken only from
churns known to have come direct from the producer.

Underground
rooms
Underground
bakehouses
Examination
of milk