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With regard to these desiderata, it may be said generally that houses are kept
in a satisfactory condition so far as items 1, 3 and 5 are concerned, but with regard
to the other items a very large number of houses do not conform to a satisfactory
standard.
Under the heading of lighting, mention must be made of the free wiring scheme
of the Borough Council. I am informed by Mr. Weekes, the Borough Electrical
Engineer, that up to 31st March, 1931, the number of electric light installations
provided under this scheme was 11,172. Nearly half the families in the Borough
are thus enjoying the benefits of electric light in their homes.
Good artificial lighting in the home has such far reaching reactions upon health
that this scheme must be regarded as an important ally of the Health Services.
Reference should also be made to the fact that steps have been taken to improve
the lighting of the staircases of the tenement buildings in the Borough in accordance
with Sec. 61 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927.
It has been explained that many houses are overcrowded, old and more or
less dilapidated, that there is no vacant space for building, and no vacant dwelling
house accommodation. The result of this combination of circumstances has been
that the predominating activity of the Sanitary Authority has been to keep existing
houses, so far as possible, in reasonable habitable repair by means of action under
the Public Health (London) Act.
The number of houses dealt with during each of the last five years is as follows:—
1926 6,213 1927 5,736 1928 6,357
1929 5,347 1930 5,126.
It will be seen that the work carried out under the Public Health (London)
Act is considerable. The procedure works well, and the requirements of the
Inspectors are, on the whole, complied with in a reasonable manner.
No difficulty is experienced in taking action under the Public Health Act. In
spite of the work done, however, in compliance with sanitary notices, these houses
gradually become so defective structurally that they require to be largely rebuilt
or reconditioned to prevent them from becoming dangerous and liable to be
demolished in part or wholly under the direction of the District Surveyor of the
L.C.C.
During 1930 dangerous structure notices were served respecting 148 premises.
This Authority has not availed itself of its power under section 3 of the Housing
Act, 1925, for the following reasons:—
In practice little difficulty is experienced in requiring owners to keep houses
in repair under the Public Health (London) Act. The fact that in many houses
repairs could not be carried out while the house is occupied, and that there is
nowhere for tenants to go, has deterred the Committee from taking action under the
Housing Act.
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