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was to the benefit of the purchaser the contravention arising through the attachment of an incorrect
label to the product. As a result of the report a revised system of labelling was introduced. The poultry
ration was an isolated result a repeat sample being found satisfactory. The probable cause for the
original failure was believed to be a temporary disruption in the normal source of ingredients.
HOUSING
As in previous years there has been no less effort directed to the department's objectives in this
vital sector of housing. The objectives are clear: to eliminate slums and to aim for the repair and
improvement of those houses which require attention in order to prevent these falling into slum
category. It is to give an extended life to dwelling houses where it is economically viable to do
because of the extreme housing shortage in the Greater London Area. There is little doubt that where
an old house lacks modern amenities and is in disrepair, it is nearly always possible to extend its
life and justify the economies of rehabilitation, providing it is structurally sound. Small cottage type
properties which in 1965 might have fallen within the unfit provision of the Housing Act are now
selling at prices around £8,500. With an expenditure of £2,500 offset by an improvement grant of
£1,000 a substantially modern house can result with a further life of 30 years.
The following information reflects in detail the year's progress in housing.
SLUM CLEARANCE
The original slum clearance programme has now been completed and it has not been necessary
to declare any clearance area during the year. 40 demolition orders and 1 closing order were made.
The 40 demolition orders were all concerned with one property, namely Brook House, West Drayton.
The action taken during 1972 relating to slum clearance has been concerned with the rehousing of
families and the demolition of vacated properties in clearance areas dealt with some time ago owing
to the fact that a period of 2 years often takes place between declaration of an area and its total
clearance. In some cases where compulsory purchase is involved the time is longer.
The action taken during the year is reported in the following tables:
Unfit Houses (not capable of repair at reasonable expense) (Housing Act, 1957)
1. Undertakings received (Section 16) —
2. Closing Orders made (Section 17) —
3. Demolition Orders made (Section 17) 40
4. Closing Orders made (rooms) (Section 18) 1
5. Closing Orders determined (Section 27) 4
6. Closing Orders revoked and Demolition Orders
stituted (Section 28) —
7. Houses demolished following Demolition Orders 3
8. Houses demolished following Closing Orders —
9. Number of persons displaced:
(a) individuals 7
(b) families 2
Clearance Areas and Individual Unfit Dwellings
Since the 1st April, 1965 the Council have made 89 Demolition Orders, 34 Closing Orders
and declared 43 Clearance Areas.
(1) Clearance Areas represented during the year:
(a) Number of areas —
(b) Houses unfit for human habitation —
(c) Houses included by reason of bad arrangement,
etc. —
(d) Houses on land acquired under Section 43(2) —
(e) Number of people to be displaced:
(i) individuals —
(ii) families —
80