London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Marylebone 1930

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]

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22
Under these a new register is being formed, and during the year in connection
with this and for purposes of supervision, some 7,481 visits were paid to the 1,055
houses on the old list. The number of intimation notices served was 789, relating
to cleansing and other defects. Except in 31 cases, where statutory notices were
issued, all of these notices were complied with without the necessity for further
proceedings arising.
In all tenement buildings the provision of lighting arrangements in staircases
called for by Sec. 61 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1927, has now been made
and appears to be working satisfactorily.
Common Lodging Houses.—Though the licence in the case of these houses is
actually granted or renewed yearly by the London County Council, the grant or
renewal is made subject to the approval of the Borough Council who are provided
with a list of applications received prior to the day fixed for consideration.
The following table contains all the necessary particulars with regard to the
licensed premises of this class in the Borough. On account of the war and the
reduction in the number of lodgers, one or two of the lodging houses were shut
down and will not again be used in this way. Of those still on the list special
reference may be made to " Portman House " in which accommodation is provided
for women only. Houses for women are badly needed, but very difficult to
find; houses so well arranged and conducted as " Portman House " are rare
indeed.

Situation, etc., of Licensed Common Lodging Houses,

Address.Registered Owner.Registered number of Occupants.
54, Bell StreetEliza Crew52 men
2, Burne Street and Lisson StreetEdward J. Higgins499 men
29, Circus StreetCatherine Wren86 men
" Portman House " (late Shaftesbury Institute), Harrow and Daventry
Streets, Lisson GroveEllen Homewood102 women
Total637 men 102 women
739

A number of visits were paid to all the houses from time to time by officers of
the department and the attention of the person in charge or the London County
Council directed to any matter calling for remedy.
Underground rooms.—In the report of 1925 it was stated with regard to these
rooms that : " Despite all efforts quite a number that had been closed and disused
for some years were once more found to be occupied. In these cases practically
all that could be done was to warn both the person who had let and the person
who had taken the rooms and to ensure that the rooms should be put into as good
condition as possible. Fortunately, only the best of the rooms were re-let and
many that were, or on account of neglect had become, unsuitable remain empty."
Since 1925 conditions have not changed, and despite the greatest care and
watchfulness rooms of this kind are occupied. In 1930 thirty cases in which the
occupation was definitely illegal were dealt with.
C.—PREMISES THAT ARE NOT BUT SHOULD BE
REGISTERED.
For a variety of reasons the number of premises in the Borough in which meals
are provided or food is sold already cooked or is prepared for sale is very large.
At the end of 1930 there were 331, this number including : restaurant, dining room
and coffee shop kitchens, 19C ; tea-rooms and pastry-cooks, 87; hotel kitchens, 21;