London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Heston and Isleworth 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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The housing problem, as I have said in previous reports, is one of extraordinary difficulty
from many points of view. One is bound to admit that the removal of the Rent Restriction Act would
in many cases, create immense hardship. For example, in one small street of houses the removal
of the restriction would mean £1,000 extra per annum to the owner owing to the increased rent charged
when a house becomes decontrolled.
Proceedings.—Proceedings were taken in two instances against the owners for re-letting
houses where Demolition Orders had become operative. In one case the defendant was fined £10
and £5 5s. Od. costs and an order made for the tenant to vacate the premises within fourteen days
and in the other case a fine of £5 with £2 2s. Od. costs was imposed and an order made for the tenant
to vacate the premises within fourteen days. In another instance an owner appealed against a Demolition
Order and an undertaking that the house be not again used for human habitation was accepted .
SANITARY WORK, ETC.
| Inspections—General: | |
| Total number of inspections and re-inspections, etc. | 22057 |
| Inspections, etc., re Nuisances Contraventions, etc.:, | |
| Number of premises, etc., inspected on complaint | 634 |
| Number of premises inspected in connection with infectious diseases | 162 |
| Total number of premises, etc., primarily inspected in connection with nuisances | 1199 |
| Number of premises inspected under Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920-1923 | 4 |
| Number of other visits made to premises, etc., in connection with nuisances, etc. | 1794 |
| Number of visits made to works in progress | 3569 |
| Number of interviews with owners, builders, etc. | 2575 |
| 744 | |
| Number of premises, etc., on which defects, etc., were remedied— | |
| 795 | |
| 24 | |
| Number of cautionary or intimation notices given— | |
| 255 | |
| 539 | |
| Number of letters and reminders re nuisances sent | 571 |
| Number of Statutory Notices issued | 58 |
| Number of proceedings taken | 2 |
| Number of convictions obtained | 2 |
| Number of proceedings withdrawn | — |
| Number of cases dismissed | — |
| Number of appeals made against decision of Council | 1 |
| Number of appeals dismissed | — |
| Common Lodging Houses: | |
| Number registered | 2 |
| Number of inspections made | 22 |
| Number of contraventions outstanding from previous year | — |
| Number of contraventions found.. | — |
| Number of contraventions remedied | — |
| Number of contraventions outstanding at end of year | — |
| Canal Boats Used as Dwellings: | |
| Number of inspections made | 76 |
| Number of contraventions outstanding from previous year | 7 |
| Number of contraventions found.. | 12 |
| Number of contraventions remedied | 15 |
| Number of contraventions outstanding at end of year | 4 |