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In some of the two-roomed cottages, the ground-floor room is occupied by
one family as a living and sleeping room, and the room on the first floor is
occupied by another family. In order, to reach the first floor room, the members
of the family must pass through the ground-floor room, which, as I have
stated, is used as a living and sleeping room. Forty-one of the houses are tworoomed
cottages and 38 are three-roomed cottages.
The Ministry of Health held an Inquiry at the Limehouse Town Hall,
which commenced on August 10th. It was resumed on August 12th and
adjourned until September 10th, and lasted five days, but the result of the
Inquiry is not yet known.
(e) Spitalfields Market.—In connection with the clearance of insanitary
areas, I may mention the transformation that is taking place in connection
with the enlargement of Spitalfields Market. It is already one of the most
important centres in the country for the wholesale distribution of fruit and
vegetables, and it will, probably, become the largest market in the kingdom
lor vegetables. After nearly three centuries' existence as a private concern,
the Market was purchased by the Corporation of the City of London, who propose
to extend the premises to twice their present size.
For the carrying out of the development and the enlargement of the street
approaches to the Market, in order to minimise the traffic congestion which
now occurs, demolition of much of the existing slum property has been
rendered necessary. The occupiers had to be provided with alternative accommodation
before the houses were demolished. This has been done by removing
them to flats in High Street, Shadwell (Whitaker Buildings), and Dron
Buildings, in Adelina Grove. More than one thousand people have been
rehoused in these model flats.
When completed, there will be wide new streets which will render the
Market more accessible, instead of the sixteen narrow, badly congested, streets
now leading to it. The area to the north of Brushfield Street has already
been demolished, which includes one side of Steward Street, both sides of
Gun Street, and one side of Crispin Street, as well as a part of Brushfield
Street, from Crispin Street to Steward Street. No rebuilding has yet taken
place.
In conclusion, I have to thank the Maternity and Infant Welfare Committee,
the Public Health Committee and Council for their kind support, as
well as the members of my staff for the manner in which their duties have been
performed.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
D. L. THOMAS.