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131
recently expressed my views on the subject of the housing of the
working classes in reports* ''presented to your Vestry, copies of
which were forwarded to the several members of the London
County Council—that I may be excused from dwelling on it now.
But I may observe that if it is true, as reported, that it is the
intention of Her Majesty's Government ' to -consolidate all the
Acts of Parliament dealing with the Housing of the Working
Classes into one Bill, in order to facilitate their application by
local authorities,'† an opportunity will be afforded to the Local
Government Board to propose to Parliament such amendments of
the law as may be required for dealing, not only with this particular
matter, but with other subjects referred to in the circular letter,
so as to expedite proceedings for the abatement of nuisance and
overcrowding.
" The circular letter of the Local Government Board makes
reference to the powers and duties of the local authority and their
officers under Torrens's and Cross's Acts, but as there is no scope
for the operation of these Acts in Kensington, I pass over the
subject. It also calls attention to the provision in the Housing
of the Working Classes Act, 1885, which declares that it shall be
the duty of the local authority entrusted with the execution of
sanitary laws to enforce those laws ' so as to secure the proper
sanitary condition of all premises within the area under their
control,' a provision which necessarily has my approval, it being
accordant with views published by myself prior to the introduction
of the measure.
* Viz., in my monthly reports : No. 3, March 25th, page 24, and No. 5, May 20th,
1889, page 49.
t A Bill for this purpose was prepared and brought in by the President of
the Local Government Board and the Home Secretary, in May of the present
year—Housing of the Working Classes Acts (Consolidation) Bill—"to consolidate
the Acts relating to Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings and the Housing of
the Working Classes." At the same time another Bill was introduced by the
same members "to amend the Acts relating to Artizans' and Labourers'
Dwelling and Housing of the Working Classes— 'Housing of the Working
Classes (Amendment)Bill.'' "—Vide page 134.
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