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162
It was also resolved:—
"That the resolutions passed by this Conference be forwarded to
the London County Council, and that a hope be expressed that the
Council will see fit (in accordance with the suggestion contained in their
letter of March 7th) to convene a further Conference to consider the said
Resolutions, and also the relations between the County Council and
District Authorities under Part 2 of the Act."
The Conference was adjourned sine die, without having, as I
think, advanced matters much beyond the point at which they
were left at the close of the Conference held at the County Hall.
Commenting upon the proceedings of that Conference, the
Housing of the Working Classes Committee of the County
Council, in a report, dated 2nd February, observed that:—
"It was scarcely to have been expected that the Conference itself
would produce any immediate results. The main object of it, as stated
by the Chairman of your Committee in opening the proceedings, was to
bring about co-operation of the District Authorities with the Council, in
the administration of the important Act of last Session, and, it may be
hoped that the willingness now shown on the part of these Authorities
to meet the Council in conference, will be productive of that harmony of
action which is so eminently desirable. As will be observed, the interest
of the proceedings centred on two points: (1) The definition of a house
unfit for human habitation within the meaning of the Act; (2) The
amount of contribution to be made by the Council towards improvement
schemes under Part 2. As to the first matter, your Committee feel no
surprise at the inconclusive bearing of the report of the Medical Officers:
precise definition they agree, with the Medical Officers, to be impossible;
and, if it were possible, the Magistrates who have to make the closing
orders would probably not be willing to surrender their own judgment in
the matter. As to the matter of contributions to schemes by the Council,
your Committe realize the force of the views expressed by representatives
of District Authorities, that the extent of improvement in the condition
of insanitary areas, by way of schemes under Part 2, will probably
be measured by the amounts which the Council may indicate readiness
to contribute.
"In a previous report of the 1st December last, your Committee
gave it as their opinion that the Council must prepare itself for having
to contribute in most cases of schemes towards the expense incurred,
and they now think, especially having regard to the resolution adopted
at the Conference, that the time has arrived when it is most desirable
that some conclusion should be come to by the Council on the subject,
which may be communicated to the District Authorities.