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368 statutory notices were served during the year, but legal proceedings Were
taken in 16 instances only. Eleven only were heard in 1902, the other five summonses
were heard on January 2nd, 1903, and will be dealt with in the report for
that year.
From the time the overcrowding is discovered to the time that the summons
can be applied for, three weeks must elapse. The summons is generally made
returnable in seven days. The magistrate, if he convicts, and grants an order to
abate the nuisance, generally allows seven days for the defendants to leave the
premises. The excessive rent received by the owner before the overcrowding can
be discovered and till proceedings can be taken against him, pays him to take the
risk, especially if the magistrate does not impose a substantial penalty.
Section 7 of the Public Health (London) Act provides "that where two convictions
for overcrowding have taken place within a period of three months, the
magistrate may order the house to be closed for such a period as he may deem
necessary." If it takes at least five weeks to obtain the first conviction, this is
practically impossible.
The standard adopted is 400 cubic feet for each adult, and 200 cubic feet for
each child under 10 years of age, if the room is used both as a living room and
bedroom. If the rooms are used separately we measure the sleeping room only, and
the standard is 300 cubic feet for each adult and 150 cubic feet for each child.