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are engaged in light industries such as the manufacture of toys,
piston rings, name plates etc.
The number of persons employed in these factories ranges from
680 in the largest to one or two in the smallest.
All factory premises are periodically inspected to see that
proper sanitary accommodation is provided and those factories which
do not use mechanical power are inspected for cleanliness, avoidance
of overcrowding, adequate ventilation and proper drainage of floors.
In 1980 the Inspectors paid 389 visits to factories and in 4
cases the attention of the management had to be drawn to contraventions
of the regulations.
HOUSING
Further progress was made during the year in dealing with unfit
houses.
The five year programme for slum clearance which commenced in
January 1958 was completed by December 1980 and a further list of
139 houses to be dealt with during the next 3 years was submitted
to the Minister.
One Compulsory Purchase Order and two Clearance Orders were made
involving 25 houses and 22 houses respectively and three Demolition
Orders and three Closing Orders were made on individual unfit houses.
Agreement was reached for demolition and rehousing as regards
three houses owned by the Middlesex County Council, Works of
repair and improvement were carried out to one house enabling the
Corporation to determine an undertaking not to use it for human
habitation.
Residentialaccommodation for multiple occupation.
The problems which arise when houses are let in lodgings or are
occupied by members of more than one family are causing concern to
many local authorities.
Section 38 of the Housing Act 1957 provides that in the above
circumstances a local authority may require works to be executed or
the number of occupants of the house reduced.
The number of houses let in lodgings in the Borough is not known
but is probably about 500. During the year the Corporation decided
to inform the Middlesex Borough and District Councils' Association
who had been considering the matter - that they supported the view
that there should be improved legislation to control the multiple
occupation of properties.
Rent Act, 1957
During the year 9 applications were received for certificates
of disrepair and the table below shows how these applications were
dealt with:
1st January to 31st December, 1980
PART 1 - Applications for Certificates of Disrepair
(1) Number of applications for certificates 9
(2) Number of decisions not to issue certificates 1
9