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6
again in view of the wide field covered by the health
inspectorate in a borough with a population of nearly
200,000 people, and the changes that will be necessary in
the department within the next few years.
One of the problems which has developed during the
last year has been that of the multiple occupation of
large houses, of which there are many examples in the
Victorian residences of Ealing. The crippling increase in
rating placed upon houses properly converted into flats
has no doubt played a substantial part in the movement to
let the houses in separate rooms and so avoid a revision
of the rating potential. Houses with a reasonable rating
can be increased five fold or more as soon as they are
properly converted into self contained flats and this has
no doubt been one reason for the buying of large houses
and the continuing letting in multiple occupation. It
should not be impossible for the rating position to be
related more closely to size rather than self contained
occupancy and thus encourage proper flat conversion of
larger properties.
The Health Inspectors have been keeping a close watch
on the situation wherever our limited powers in connection
with over-crowded properties are brought into play, and
it is hoped that our powers will be strengthened ere long,
since the influx of overseas and continental immigrants
are making many problems for the department.
May I take this opportunity of reminding the Council
of the magnificent service being given to the community,
particularly in the public health field, by the Voluntary
bodies in the Borough.
Meals on Wheels, Holidays for the Aged, Social Clubs,
Workshops for the Elderly, Chiropody and many other
philanthropic ventures are carried on in Ealing without
public acknowledgment. I hope that all those people who
are giving so generously of their time to help in these
activities will accept my sincere thanks for the great
help they are providing in the promotion of happiness for
so many ageing and lonely people in Ealing. The work they
are doing cannot be done by the Council themselves owing
to the lack of legal powers, but we are singularly fortunate
in Ealing in having so many people prepared to
help this greatly needed work.