Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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44
Section D.
HOUSING.
Statistical Information. The following details have
been kindly supplied by the Borough Surveyor:-
No. of Dwellings Erected by Private Enterprise during
1948.
New Construction. War Damaged.
Houses 1 3
Total number of working class permanent dwellings erected
by the Corporation since March 1924 up to 51st Dec. 1948.
New Construction. War Damaged.
Houses 930 8
(Inc. 62 outside
Borough)
Plats 16
Number of Temporary Dwellings completed during 1948.
Nil
Total Number of Temporary Dwellings erected up to
31st December, 1948.
Arcon - 132. Aluminium - 70. 2-year Huts - 126.
Total - 328.
Number of 2-year Huts demolished during the year.
5.
During the year under review efforts to catch up on
the arrears of repairs to houses were continued.
The Building Industry had not returned to normal
working conditions, but considerable assistance resulted from
the raising of the limit of expenditure on building works without
need of a licence from £10 to £100. Owing to the continued
limitations on building, however, statutory action in
respect of repairs was limited to the appropriate provisions
of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Housing Act. 1936. During 1948, one house was demolished
owing to its dangerous state; the Demolition Order was made in
1947. A further Demolition Order was made during the year in
respect of a house in Lower Ham Road.
Apart from the need for further housing accommodation
which is too well known to warrant special comment here,
a definite improvement in the general sanitary condition of
dwelling houses might properly be recorded for the year 1948.
To a considerable degree, this state of affairs might be
attributed to the huge amount of war damage repairs which
were carried out. There has been close co-operation between
the department and War Damage Commission, and it is pleasing
to acknowledge the courtesy and assistance received from the
Regional Officer in Kingston at all times.