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but was unable, to bring in a Bill in the then current Session.
His Bills introduced in the present Session are practically certain
to become law, and will effect the object in view.
In the course of his speech Mr. Ritchie quoted with approval
an observation by Lord Shaftesbury that the Labouring Glasses
Lodging Houses Acts, commonly known as "Lord Shaftesbury's
Acts," would, "if properly carried out, meet almost every
requirement in regard to the Housing of the Working Classes,
and remedy a great part of the existing evils," but he had to
admit that, although the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1885, had made the administration of the Acts metropolitan instead
of parochial, nothing had been done. By common consent,
however, the Housing Acts were allowed to be too complicated, and it
was hoped that, by consolidation with amendment, their operation
might be made both more speedy and more effectual. The
matter was deemed of high importance by the House of Commons,
and so, when Mr. Ritchie introduced his Bills, all parties joined
in assisting to pass the Act next to be mentioned.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT, 1890.
The Acts dealing with the housing of the working classes
prior to the commencement of the Parliamentary Session of 1890,
were thirteen in number, ranging from the Labouring Classes
Lodging Houses Act, 1851 (Shaftesbury's Act), to the Housing
of the Working Classes Act, 1885, and including those connected
with the names of Mr. Torrens and Mr. (now Viscount) Cross. A
Bill to consolidate these several measures, entitled Housing of
the Working Classes Acts (Consolidation), was prepared and
brought in by the President of the Local Government Board.
Few amendments of existing law, and those not of material
importance from a sanitary point of view, were introduced, but
regarded merely as a consolidating measure, and if it had stood
alone, it would have been very useful.