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25
The Secretary of State issued his Order during the year
making detailed regulations respecting the maintenance and
use of crematoria, and an important Order with regard to
the Sanitary Conveniences in Factories and Workshops
(extra, metropolitan) was also issued.
The Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1903, Section 1,
extends the period for the repayment of loans from 60 to 80
years. In connection with this the Local Government Board
state in their circular letter on the new Act (September 22nd,
1903), that they propose in future as a general rule to allow
the full term of 80 years for the repayment of money borrowed
for the purchase of freehold land, and 60 years for the repayment
of money borrowed for the erection of buildings under
the Housing Acts.
Section 3 imposes the obligation on Local Authorities.
Companies, or other persons acquiring land under the Housing
Acts on which there are working men's dwellings, occupied
by 30 or more persons belonging to the working classes, not
to enter on such dwellings until the Board have either
approved of a housing scheme or decided that a scheme is
not necessary. The same section applies a schedule which
sets out in considerable detail, various provisions in relation
to the making, enforcement and modification of such schemes.
Section 4 enables the Local Government Board to order
a scheme to be made; in case of failure to make such scheme,
the order may be enforced by mandamus.
Subsequent sections considerably simplify the procedure
of putting the Act into force, and in particular enables a
confirming Order of the Board to be effective in certain cases
without confirmation by Parliament.
Section 8 amends the law with regard to Closing Orders.
Under the old Act notice had first to be given to place the
premises in repair. In many cases it was well known that the
notice would not be complied with. For example, a requisition
to repair extensively a dilapidated house within six months
of the termination of a lease is seldom obeyed. The Act now
gives power, in cases in which the Local Authority thinks a
notice cannot or will not be obeyed, to apply to a mag1strate
and take out a summons for a closing order without giving
the preliminary notice.
When houses are demolished under the Act, and the sale
of the materials fails to cover the cost of the demolition the
balance can be recovered from the owner as a civil debt (section
9).