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23
SECTION D.
HOUSING.
During 1935 considerable progress was made in connection
with the five years' programme submitted to the
Minister of Health, though no clearance areas were represented
during the year.
It will be recalled that at the end of 1934 Clearance
Orders were outstanding in respect of five areas, one of
which (Canbury Area "A") was the subject of an action
pending in the Court of Appeal. The owner of certain
houses in the Area in question had appealed previously
(during 1934) to the High Court against the Clearance
Order and on judgment being given against him, had
decided to go to the Court of Appeal. The matter was
left at that stage at the end of 1934. The case was heard
in due course in 1935, and the judgment given in the High
Court was confirmed by the Court of Appeal. During the
time the Clearance Order had been subjudice, clearance
action had been deferred, but following the result of the
appeal, action was resumed and the proper machinery set
in motion to clear the site. The houses were vacated towards
the end of the year but had not been demolished by
the 31st December, 1935. The displaced tenants were all
given the opportunity of moving either to Council houses
or Council flats. With regard to the other clearance areas
outstanding at the end of 1934, no special difficulties were
encountered and the houses were demolished during 1935.
Apart from action taken under Part I of the Housing Act,
1930, thirty-two Demolition Orders were made under
Sections 19 and 21 in respect of " individual " unfit houses.
Last year I prepared a summary showing action taken
during 1934 and the position at the end of the year as
regards (a) clearance areas and (b) "individual " houses
found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health
as to be unfit for human habitation. The summary refers