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occupiers the illegal occupation ceased. In no case was it found necessary to
prosecute. During the year. taking advantage of the power given by Section 17
(7) of the Housing. Town Planning. etc.. Act. 1909. regulations were drafted with
regard to rooms of this class habitually used as sleeping rooms and submitted by
the Council to the Local Government Board for approval. Several minor
alterations were suggested by the Board and accepted by the Council. As finally
approved by the Board (on 2nd February. 1911) they read as follows:
METROPOLJTAN BOROUGH OF ST. MARYLEBONE.
REGULATIONS AS TO UNDERGROUND ROOMS HABITUALLY
USED AS SLEEPING PLACES.
Whereas by Section 17 of the Housing. Town Planning. etc.. Act. 1909. it
is enacted as follows:
Sub.Section 7. A room habitually used as a sleeping place. the surface of
the floor of which is more than three feet below the surface of the part of the
street adjoining or nearest to the room. shall for the purposes of this section be
deemed to be a dwelling house so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit
for human habitation. if the room either—
(a) is not on an average at least seven feet in height from floor to
ceiling; or
(3) does not comply with such regulations as the local authority. with
the consent of the Local Government Board. may prescribe for securing the
proper ventilation and lighting of such rooms. and the protection thereof
against dampness. effluvia. or exhalation : Provided that if the local authority.
after being required to do so by the Local Government Board. fail to make
such regulations or such regulations as the Board approve. the Board may
themselves make them. and the regulations so made shall have effect as if
they had been made by the local authority with the consent of the Board.
Provided that a closing order made in respect of a room to which this subsection
applies shall not prevent the room being used for purposes other than
those of a sleeping place ; and that. if the occupier of the room after notice of an
order has been served upon him fails to comply with the order. an order to
comply therewith may. on summary conviction. be made against him :
Now therefore we. the Mayor. Aldermen. and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of St. Marylebone. being the local authority for the said Metropolitan
Borough. hereby prescribe the following regulations with which a room habitually