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the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1925,
all houses suitable for the working classes and occupied by members of more than
one family are subject to registration, and in them there must be compliance with
certain requirements as to sanitation, cleanliness, cleansing, etc.
Under these a new register is being formed, and during the year in connection
with this and for purposes of supervision, some 8,589 visits were paid to the 1,055
houses carried over from the old list. The number of intimation notices served
was 1,182, relating to cleansing and other defects. Except in 59 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.— By the Transfer of Powers (London) Order, 1933,
of the Ministry of Health made under Section 64 of the Local Government Act,
1929, the powers and duties of the London County Council in connection with
Common Lodging Houses were transferred to the Borough Councils as from 1st
April, 1933. At this date four premises of this class were in existence in the
Borough and applications for renewal of their licences were invited. Three new
licenses were in fact granted as from 1st June, 1933, but an application in respect
of the fourth Common Lodging House at 29, Circus Street was withdrawn and
the premises shut down. Of those still on the list which are shown on the table
below, 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. Established many years ago by Miss Meredith Brown, this was
one of the first of its kind and under the management of Miss Ellen Homewood,
and now under that of the Church Army, has done and is doing an incalculable
amount of good conferring great benefit on large numbers of women.

During the year 96 visits were paid to Common Lodging Houses by officers
of the department and the premises are periodically inspected by a Fire Inspector
(Mr. M. W. A. Davey) specially appointed for the purpose.
Underground rooms.— The year 1933 saw some improvement in conditions so
far as underground rooms are concerned; but on account of difficulty in obtaining
other accommodation it is often impossible to deal with cases that should be dealt
with. During the year, however, the number occupied was still further reduced,
action taken in respect of 63 in which the occupation was definitely illegal, securing
discontinuance of occupation.
Regulations for the control of underground rooms occupied for sleeping
purposes were in operation throughout the year, and assisted considerably in
securing improvement of conditions in a number of cases.