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91
A great economy is effected if young men and women who are living at home are
able to return home from work for their mid-day meal.
The number of cases of overcrowding coming to the notice of the Officers of the
Health Department during the year was 136. It must be understood that these were
bad cases which were so obvious as to attract attention, or cases which were the
subject of complaint.
It has not been the practice of the Sanitary Inspectors to take measurements of
cubic space available per head as part of their routine inspections. To have done
so would have occupied a great deal of time, and would undoubtedly have brought to
light many cases in which the requisite space was not available, but in which it was
not practicable for the Sanitary Authority to take effective action.
Of the 136 cases of overcrowding referred to above, 92 were remedied as follows:—
Moved to L.C.C. estates outside the Borough 44
Moved elsewhere 48
In all, 47 cases of overcrowding were reported to the Health Committee during
the year.
Owing to the general circumstances already explained, the Committee decided
in all but one instance that nothing more could be done than to give instructions
that the persons living under these conditions should be urged to endeavour to obtain
better accommodation.
The full particulars of many of these cases were sent to the Ministry of Health.
The following five examples will serve to illustrate the types of case to which
reference has been made:—
No. 1.—No. of rooms, 3. Adults: male, 4; female, 4. Children: male, 2;
female, 2. Cubic space available, 3,400 cub. ft. Cubic space required,
4,000 cub. ft.
This family require a 6-roomed house. The L.C.C. have not a house large
enough on the Morden Estate, therefore unable to offer accommodation. Total
income, £6 Is. per week.
No. 2.—No. of rooms, 2. Adults: male, 1; female, 5. Children: male, 2;
female, 1. Cubic space available, 1,650 cub. ft. Cubic space required,
2,600 cub. ft.
Income, £2 1s. 6d. per week. Not sufficient to recommend to L.C.C.
No. 3.—No. of rooms, 1. Adults: male, 2; female, 1. Children: male, 2;
female, 3. Cubic space available, 900 cub. ft. Cubic space required,
2,200 cub. ft.
Unwilling to go out of the Borough owing to employment. Tuberculosis in
family. Income, £4 16s. per week.
No. 4.—No. of rooms, 2. Adults: male, 1; female, 1. Children: male, 5;
female, 2. Cubic space available, 1,060 cub. ft. Cubic space required,
2,800 cub. ft.