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which are situated working-men's dwellings, such dwellings
shall not be entered on until the Local Government Board
have either approved of a housing scheme or have decided
that such scheme is not necessary. The housing scheme
must make provision for the accommodation of such number
of persons as is in the opinion of the Local Government Board
required, but not exceeding the aggregate number of persons
displaced. The Local Government Board may require that
the new dwellings shall be completed and fit for occupation
before possession is taken of the dwellings it is proposed to
demolish.
I am informed that there are no unoccupied dwellings fit
for human habitation in North Woolwich, and that there
are very few indeed in South Woolwich within an easy distance
of the Free Ferry. There is as a fact very great demand
for houses in this district, and even empty houses in the other
parts of the Borough are very quickly being filled up. A
certain number of houses in the Biver Ward have been
closed under the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, by the
Borough Council. A number of houses have recently been
closed and will be demolished by the County Council for
the purpose of widening High Street. The number of houses
is slowly but continually diminishing in the business parts
of Woolwich, owing to the replacement of dwelling-houses
by business houses, places of amusement, &c., e.g., two or
three houses will shortly be demolished in Beresford Street
for the sake of a new Kinematograph Theatre. In addition
to this the construction of the new dock will employ a large
number of workmen. I believe it is the intention of the
Port Authority to make temporary provision for the housing
of these, but it is to be expected that such provision will not