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165
In connection with this subject it may be interesting to
state that, in the month of November last, a deputation from
the Public Health Committee of the London County Council
waited upon the Home Secretary, to urge the desirability of
transferring from the police to the Council, the control of the
Common Lodging Houses in the Metropolis, within the jurisdiction
of the Council. The Chairman of the Committee
stated that the Council desired reform in the registration of
Common Lodging Houses, and that the Council should be
the authority for making and enforcing regulations and byelaws,
for the management of these houses. The Home
Secretary expressed sympathy with the object of the deputation,
admitting, nevertheless, that the police had performed
their duty, in looking after the lodging houses, with great
discretion, and in a thoroughly efficient manner. The only
question with him was, whether the proposed change was
practicable, and, further, what was the best means of effecting
it. It had been suggested that, under section 10 of the Local
Government Act, 1888, the transference of the powers of the
police to the Council might be effected, a course that would
involve a minimum of trouble and delay. The prospect of
expedition, he said, would not be so clear if an Act of Parliament
had to be obtained to achieve the aim of the deputation.
Upon this it may be observed, that some consideration is due
to the question, whether such transference is desirable ; and,
if so, whether the County Council is the proper body to
enforce regulations or bye-laws ? If the control of the
Common Lodging Houses is to be taken from the police,—a
course to which considerable exception may not unreasonably
be taken on grounds of public policy,—-it may well
be asked, why the duty of enforcing the bye-laws, which the
County Council might be authorised to frame, should not
devolve on the Sanitary Authorities of the several Parishes
and Districts of the Metropolis ? The County Council have built
a CommonLodging House in the St. Giles' District; but it will
not, I hope, be thought disrespectful to hint a doubt whether