London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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HOUSING ACT, 1935.
Section- 1 of the Housing Act, 1935, imposed upon every Local Authority the duty of
carrying out a survey of their district in order to ascertain to what extent overcrowding
existed. This involved the inspection of 1,686 separate dwelling-houses in the City and
the measurement of the rooms comprising these dwellings. Of these 1,686 dwelling-houses,
65, or 3 .9 per cent., were found to be overcrowded.
The Minister of Health fixed 1st April, 1936, as the date for completion of the survey,
and 1st June, 1936, for the submission to him of a report based on the survey, and this
information was accordingly forwarded.
By Statutory Rules and Orders the appointed day for the operation of Section 6 in
the City of London was fixed as 1st July, 1936, and requires that within six months after
that date every rent book or similar document shall contain a summary in the prescribed
form of Sections 2, 3 and 5 of the Act, and a statement of the permitted number of persons
in relation to the dwelling. The appointed day for the operation of Sections 3 and 8, which
make new cases of overcrowding an offence, was fixed as 1st January, 1937, which is also
the date fixed for the coming into operation of Sections 4 and 68, which relate, inter alia,
to the granting of licences for a temporary increase of the permitted number of persons.
In one case only was obstruction experienced in obtaining entry for the purpose of
measuring rooms, and legal proceedings were accordingly taken and entry subsequently
obtained.
Of the 65 cases of overcrowding found, two have been abated by the exclusion of temporary
occupiers.
Alternative accommodation has not yet been found for these cases.
By reason of the advancing age of children, four additional dwellings became overcrowded
by the end of 1936.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901, &c.
Factories, Workshops and Workplaces.—The premises upon the Register number 3,921,
in which are included 8,491 workrooms, &c.
There were served 1,643 notices during the year for various purposes under the Acts.
The number of Factories, Workshops and Workplaces at present Registered is as follows :—
| Registered Places. | Workrooms, &c., in Registered Places. | |
|---|---|---|
| FACTORIES | 1,553 | 3,882 |
| WORKSHOPS | 1,122 | 1,604 |
| WORKPLACES | ||
| Kitchens of Restaurants and Tea Rooms | 738 | 1,670 |
| Kitchens of Licensed Premises | 274 | 861 |
| Stables | 4 | 74 |
| Other places | 230 | 400 |
| 3,921 | 8,491 |
The following is a Summary of Inspections of separate workrooms, &c., during the year :—
| Workshop Inspectors. | Woman Inspector. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FACTORIES | 1,119 | - | 1,119 |
| WORKSHOPS | 402 | 402 | |
| WORKPLACES | 808 | 812 | 1,620 |
The following is a Summary of Inspections of separate workrooms, since 1927 :—
| FACTORIES. | Workshop Inspectors. | Woman Inspector. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 1,298 | - | 1,298 |
| 1928 | 1,383 | - | 1,383 |
| 1929 | 1,902 | - | 1,902 |
| 1930 | 1,649 | - | 1,649 |
| 1931 | 2,144 | - | 2,144 |
| 1932 | 1,872 | - | 1,872 |
| 1933 | 2,121 | - | 2,121 |
| 1934 | 2,965 | - | 2,965 |
| 1935 | 1,825 | - | 1,825 |
| 1936 | 1,119 | - | 1,119 |