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67
Overcrowding.—There are no accurate figures available as to the state of overcrowding
in Woolwich in 1930. Such figures can only be revealed at Census times,
and any method which relies on figures obtained from a limited number of inspections
by Sanitary Inspectors presents many fallacies. In 1921 it was shown that there
was more overcrowding than in 1911. There is every reason to believe that the
number of new houses in the Borough has not kept pace with the increase in population,
and for this reason and those already given I do not think that there will
be any improvement in the figures for overcrowding when the Census results for
1931 are known. There are no causes operating in Woolwich which do not appertain
elsewhere.
It is, of course, very difficult to deal with overcrowding in its present state.
Cases come to the knowledge of the Department and such steps as are possible
are taken to abate the nuisance. Accommodation for some has been found on the
Council's Housing Estate, but as there were no new houses built last year this
remedy was limited to vacancies. In some cases applications have been referred
to the London County Council for accommodation on their estates, but experience
has shown that many of the applicants who live under these conditions are unable
to accept a house because of the extra cost of transport.
Fitness of Houses.—In Woolwich it is the practice to proceed under the Public
Health Acts in order to deal with nuisances or defects found to exist in houses,
and only occasionally has use been made of the powers contained in Section 3 of
the Housing Act, 1925, and in the corresponding sections of earlier Acts. In the
ordinary way very few difficulties are experienced in enforcing the notices. It is
exceptional to find a house without an adequate internal water supply, and every
house is provided with a water closet or other proper sanitary accommodation.
In the houses which are used by two or more families without being specially
adapted for the purpose these are shared between the families.
New Housing Estate.—The Housing Committee recommended the Council at
its meeting in December to acquire a further site for housing purposes and submitted
the following report which was adopted by the Council:—
"The Council, at their meeting on the 8th October, 1930, delegated powers
to us to negotiate with the Commissioners of Crown Lands for the acquisition
of the site coloured red on the plan then produced to the Council.
Mr. Frank Hunt, the Valuer of the London County Council, was good
enough to agree to act as Valuer for the Borough Council and to negotiate
for the acquisition of the site, which covers an area of about 275 acres, and
he now reports that Messrs. Glutton, the Crown Surveyors, are prepared to
recommend the Commissioners of Crown Lands to accept the sum of £90,000
therefor. The site does not include the strip of land on the east side of Sidcup
Road, forming part of the sports grounds of Messrs. Tillings and Messrs. Peek
Frean & Co., the acquisition of which must be left open for the present. There