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64
a view to economizing space. There is marked overcrowding on space and congestion,
basements are common, yards are small, and small as they are, have frequently been
required to accommodTte outbuildings, water-closets, washhouses, etc., or additional
apartments in the shape of small cottages or back additions.
Apart from the conditions capable of being dealt with as nuisances, to which
reference is made elsewhere (page 11), the defects found to exist arise mainly
because of the limitation of space and because the space available is overbuilt.
Because of lack of space, water-closets improperly placed and inadequately lighted
and ventilated are not infrequently found; and because of overbuilding, rooms used
for living or sleeping purposes though deprived of light and air by back additions are
not uncommon.
In respect of measures taken or contemplated to meet the shortage, the situation,
so far as the Borough itself is concerned, is very difficult. As matters now stand,
within the boundaries there is no space upon which to erect houses to accommodate
the working classes. Before houses can be erected, houses will have to be
demolished, and there is probably no site in the Borough which, if once cleared,
even if entirely used for housing purposes, could provide accommodation for all the
persons dishoused. It is this largely that complicates the housing problem in St.
Marylebone, and makes the task of the Council and its Housing Committee so
difficult.
II. Overcrowding.
(1) Extent. (2) Causes. (3) Measures taken or contemplated to deal
with overcrowding. The information called for under these heads is more or
less given above. (4) Principal cases of overcrowding dealt with during
the year and action taken.
Though the overcrowding was more marked, for various reasons, the number of
cases dealt with was comparatively small. The notices served numbered 1, and for
the reason that more or less of a remedy was found in this case, no proceedings
were instituted.
III. Fitness of Houses.
(1) (a) General standard of housing in the district, and
{b) General character of the defects found to exist in unfit houses.
(2) Action taken as regards unfit houses under (a) the Public Health
Acts, (b) the Housing Acts.
The powers under the Public Health Acts have always been used to the fullest
extent with a view to obtaining removal of nuisances, remedy of defects and
improvements in the condition of houses. A glance at the Table on page 12, which
shows the defects found by the inspectors, gives some idea as to the amount of work
done by way of investigation. Soon after the Housing Act, 1909, came into operation
the Public Health Committee gave directions that a complete house-to-house inspection
should be made, and laid down a policy as to the method to be adopted in regard to
closing and demolition orders under that Act. As a result of the action taken,
considerable improvements were made, many of them voluntarily by property owners,