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46
registered, varying in numbers from six in Plumstead to 1,500 in
Kensington. In ten of the London districts, including Bethnal
Green, the regulations have not been enforced, though the authorities
of some of these ten districts appear to have made a show of
compliance, e. g., Battersea has inspected, measured, and registered
a large number of houses, but has taken no steps to make them
subject to the bye-laws. In some of the ten defaulting districts the
bye-laws have only just been confirmed, whilst in others, officers
have been appointed with a view of dealing with the subject. In
Bethnal Green, however, the report says " the authorities do not
see n to have attempted to take any action with regard to houses
let in lodgings." The Public Health Committee of the London
Council, after digesting this report, appear to have formed the
opinion that an example ought to be made of Bethnal Green for the
purpose of encouraging the others, and the lash is to be applied in
the shape of a complaint to the Local Government Board under
Section 101 of the Public Health (London) Act. 1891. The result
of this complaint will be an enquiry by the Local Government
Board, and if they are satisfied that the complaint is well founded
they may make an order requiring us to enforce the regulations
within a given time. If we do not obey this order, they may either
mandamus us or they may require the County Council to do the
work at our expense.
In accordance with these views the Public Health Committee of
the London County Conncil recommended:—
(a) That complaint be made by the Council to the Local
Government Board, pursuant to Sec. 101 of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, that the Vestry of Bethnal
Green have made default in executing the provisions of
Sec. 94 of the Act with regard to the enforcement of byelaws
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.
When this report came up for consideration at the Council, the