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 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]

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Housing
The housing situation is steadily improving, and the Council have in view the erection of
another large estate.
As before, I have pursued throughout the year the policy I commenced last year of dealing
with the representation and demolition of unfit houses as single individual units, and not under
any clearance or improvement area.
One of the things which are causing anxiety is the steps that must be taken to ensure that
families entering Council Houses from verminous property do not transfer the vermin with them.
In dealing with this problem, it must be borne in mind that for the vast majority of those
who live in verminous houses, the fault is not theirs. They have been forced by circumstances to
inhabit houses which were already verminous by reason of the financial burden of more expensive
or newer property.
Dockwell, the old Smallpox Hospital, is being increasingly used to house families whilst
their houses and furniture are disinfested before they move into Council houses.
HOUSING CONDITIONS STATISTICS.
1. GENERAL.
Number of New Houses erected during the year :—1,378
2. INSANITARY AND UNFIT DWELLING HOUSES.

Table: 1. Inspection of Dwelling-Houses during the Year.

1. Inspection of Dwelling-Houses during the Year.

(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts616
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose719
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 and 1932208
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose311
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation97
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive to those referred to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation156
2. Remedy of Defects during the Year without Service of Formal Notices :— Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or their officers223
3. Action under Statutory Powers during the Year :—
A. Proceedings under Sections 17, 18 and 23 of the Housing Act, 1930 :— (1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were served requiring repairs32