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35
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES.
The following table is included in this Report in accordance with the request contained
in the letter from the Ministry of Health, dated 10th December, 1925, and relating to contents
of annual reports of Medical Officers of Health.
Observations of an extended character on the housing question as it relates to the City
are contained in the health survey which appears at the beginning of this Report.
Number of new houses erected during the year Nil.
(a) Total (including numbers given separately under (b) ) Nil.
(b) With State assistance under the Housing Acts Nil.
(i.) By the Local Authority Nil.
(ii.) By other bodies or persons Nil.
1. Unfit Dwelling Houses.
Inspection—(1) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects
(under Public Health or Housing Acts) 865
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were inspected and recorded under the
Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations, 1910, or the Housing Consolidated
Regulations, 1925310
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to
health as to be unfit for human habitation Nil.
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under the preceding
sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation 97
2. Remedy of defects without Service of Formal Notices.
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action
by the Local Authority or their officers 135
3. Action under Statutory Powers.
A.—Proceedings under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925.
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were served requiring
repairs Nil.
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were rendered fit after service of formal
notices:—
(a) By owners Nil
(b) By Local Authority in default of owners Nil.
(3) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Closing Orders became operative
in pursuance of declarations by owners of intention to close Nil.
B.—Proceedings under Public Health Acts.
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were served requiring
defects to be remedied 201
(2) Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of formal
notices:—
(a) By owners 173
(b) By Local Authority in default of owners Nil.
C.—Proceedings under Section 11, 14, and 15 of the Housing Act, 1925.
(1) Number of representations made with a view to the making of Closing Orders Nil.
(2) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Closing Orders were made Nil.
(3) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Closing Orders were determined,
the dwelling-houses having been rendered fit Nil.
(4) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Demolition Orders were made Nil.
(5) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition Orders Nil.
HYGIENE OF HAIRDRESSERS' AND BARBERS' SHOPS.
A system of voluntary registration of hairdressers' establishments with the Department
•of the Medical Officer of Health was instituted in 1904.
The following is a list of establishments at present on the register:—
Alfred Kingston, 8 and 10, Ludgate Arcade.
Charles Lehman, 8 and 9, Aldermanbury Postern.
Thos. W. Monk, 5, Angel Court.
Ed. Hy. Prince, 36, Coleman Street.
Harry C. Wicks, trading as Arthur & Co., 42a, Old Broad Street.
SMOKE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Fifteen instances of smoke nuisance or annoyance from chimneys were dealt with
during the year. Some of these were of a temporary character and did not recur, others
were abated upon service of the usual form of notice upon the offenders and there has been
no occasion to take further action.
As mentioned in previous Reports, the annoyance and the evil from coal smoke cannot
satisfactorily be dealt with by law until the enactments at present in force are strengthened
or amended. Much dirt and discomfort from smoke continues, although to a distinctly less
degree than in former years, and for which the enormous number of chimneys, domestic and
otherwise, in and surrounding Greater London is largely responsible.