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59
The fact that there are caretakers (a man and his wife) at the Tuberculosis
Dispensary has already been noted. In addition to looking after the premises they
also render great assistance in connection with conduct of the clinics, taking notes,
helping in the weighing of the patients, etc.
(2) Hospital accommodation.—This being a matter with which the
Borough Councils in London have no direct concern, it is not considered
necessary to make special reference to it.
(3) Local Acts, special local orders and their administration.—There are
no Acts or Orders applicable in the Borough which do not apply to other parts
of London. The London County Council (General Powers) Acts contain a
number of provisions under which a considerable amount of work is done,
e.g., those relating to places where food is dealt with. Reference is made to
these elsewhere.
HOUSING.
From the formal return given below, which is that required to be made by
the Ministry, it will be noted that amongst the new houses erected there are, " as
part of a municipal housing scheme, 32 flats." This indicates the completion of
two of the seven blocks of flats planned to be erected upon the site presented by
the late Lord Portman to the Council for the purpose of housing the working
classes, and known as The Fisherton Street Site. The first block, the completion
of which was considerably delayed by strikes and other labour difficulties, was
formerly opened by the Mayor (Mr. Councillor Brooks) on 7th November, and
very shortly afterwards the second also was completed and occupied. The
accommodation provided in each of the flats consists of a living room, scullery,
bathroom, and W.C., and three bedrooms. There is a plentiful supply of hot
water to each, and there is in addition a laundry with washing and drying rooms
for the use of the tenants in common. The blocks are well situated as regards
light and air, and both gas and electricity are available for cooking, lighting, etc.
As this scheme is rather in the nature of a slum clearance the provision made in
the various blocks will help hardly at all towards a reduction of the housing
shortage, most of the families taking up occupation of the flats being such as have
been dishoused in order to permit the scheme to proceed. Even when the scheme
is completed, it is doubtful if any but previous residents on the site will be
accommodated. At the end of the year progress was being made in connection
with arrangements for the erection of two of the remaining five blocks.
The information asked for by the Ministry with regard to housing is contained
in the following statement, and in the Table A. The Increase of Rent and Mortgage
Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, so far as regards the provisions of Section 2
(2), relating to certificates as to suitability for occupation of houses, was comparatively
little taken advantage of during the year. Actually, only 1 application
was received, and a certificate in this case was granted.
Number of new houses erected during the year:
(a) Total
(b) As part of a municipal housing scheme
7 houses and
147 flats.
32 flats.
1. Unfit dwelling-houses:
Inspection—(1) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for
housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) 2,593
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were inspected and recorded
under the Housing (Inspection of District) Regulations,
1910—
Houses 973
Tenements in blocks 504