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action by the Sanitary inspectors and the Streets Nuisance Inspector. In other cases, where upon
investigation it appeared that the Department could not take effective action, the matters were referred
to the Town and Country Planning Authority and to the Police. In no case was legal action necessary.
Smoke.—Complaints were received in respect of smoke nuisances arising from thirteen premises,
relating mainly to commercial undertakings and large blocks of flats.
There appears to be no doubt that in certain instances, where oil is burned, the nuisance was due
to the gradual change-over from wartime fuel to the type of oil normally used. The owners of these
properties have, without exception, taken all practicable steps in the special circumstances to prevent
or at least mitigate the nuisance when their attention has been drawn informally to it, but with a
return to more normal conditions as regards the fuelling of these plants it has been decided to revert
strictly to the procedure laid down in the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and to consider the
taking of formal action against future offenders.
Poisons.—The names of 74 traders were on the Council's list of persons entitled to sell poisons included
in Part II of the Poisons List (Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1852 to 1941), the premises concerned
numbering 90.
Factories.—The number of registered factories was 1,760 (with mechanical power, 1,343; without
mechanical power, 417). Frequent inspections were carried out, and conditions were remedied in
69 instances (want of cleanliness, 48; insufficient or unsuitable sanitary conveniences, 21). Outworkers
lists were received from 70 employers in respect of 121 contractors and 946 workpeople.
SECTION D.—HOUSING.
Re-organisation of Housing Department.—The Council's housing activities were co-ordinated into a
single department under the control of a Housing Director who commenced his duties on the 1st
May, 1947.
Permanent Schemes.—The erection of flats on the undermentioned sites continued but progress was
slow owing to shortages of labour and materials:—
Site No. of flats Approximate cost
Barrow Hill Road 172 £328,500
Church Street 140 £306,360
312 £634,860
A maternity and child welfare centre will be provided on the Barrow Hill Road Estate; the Church
Street Estate will include 18 shops. Both estates will have communal laundry facilities and central
hot water.
Following a public inquiry on the 21st April, 1947, the Minister of Health confirmed the compulsory
purchase order made by the Council respecting the Townshend Cottages site with a view to the erection
thereon of further permanent flats.
The Council have also planned for the development of a number of small vacant sites in the
Borough.
Adaptation of Premises.—Further unoccupied premises were surveyed during the year and, where
suitable, were requisitioned to provide more housing accommodation. In addition, certain
requisitioned houses formerly occupied by Government Departments were transferred to the Council
for housing purposes. The total number of residential units held by the Council in requisitioned
premises at 31st December, 1947, was 1,021.
Hostels for Single Persons.—During the year the Council requisitioned suitable premises and prepared
plans for the provision of accommodation for approximately 100 persons.
St. Marylebone Housing Association.—The Council agreed to co-operate with the St. Marylebone
Housing Association in the development of the Cochrane Street site for housing purposes and good
progress was made in the building of 64 flats. The Association will accept nominees of the Council
as the first tenants of the flats.
Inspection of Dwelling-houses.—Number of houses inspected for defects under the Public Health or
Housing Acts—3,750; number of inspections made—8,932; number of houses found not to be in
all respects reasonably fit for human habitation—1,254; number of defective houses rendered fit in
consequence of informal action—1,003; number of houses in which defects were remedied by owners
after service of formal notices under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936—243; number of
underground rooms in respect of which closing orders were made—43.