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63
The delay in carrying out any improvement under the
Acts is simply intolerable; the delay being mainly due to
the complicated procedure as well as to the difficulty of
interpretation of the statute.
Burne Street area.—The Burne Street area is a
second example of delay, this was duly reported under
Part I. of the Housing Act to the London County Council
in 1900, but the Housing Committee of the Council has not
yet even taken it into consideration.
Devonshire Place area.—A third example is the
Devonshire Place area, reported to the County Council in
1901. That Council has adopted the Report of the Housing
Committee, to the effect that, as to whether it shall be dealt
with under Part I. by the London County Council, or under
Part II. by the Borough Council, is to be determined by the
Secretary of State, the County Council suggesting the latter
course.
It appears to take, in practice, a year or two to get a
scheme considered, and after all formalities have been completed
a scheme adopted, and an area ordered to be cleared
and built upon, the clearing and building exhausts an
equally long period. As things stand, it is quite exceptional
for a scheme to be carried out from first to last within five
years. In the writer's opinion the Housing of the Working
Classes Acts should be entirely repealed and legislation of a
simpler character substituted, based upon the large experience
of the inefficient, tedious, and expensive nature of the
existing statutes.
Prosecutions under the Public Health (London) Act.
The occupier of premises in Marylebone Lane was
prosecuted and fined a nominal sum for not providing
under bye-law 18 a proper receptacle "constructed of
metal and provided with one or more suitable handles and
cover."
This is not such a trivial offence as it may at first sight
seem. In streets where the kerb collection is in force,