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The Act (amongst a wealth of detail) states: Section 1. (1)
It shall be the duty of every local authority before such dates as
may be fixed by the Minister as respects their district, to cause an
inspection thereof to be made with a view to ascertaining what
dwelling-houses therein are overcrowded, and to prepare and submit
to the Minister a report upon the result of the inspection and
the number of new houses required in order to abate overcrowding
in their district, and, unless they are satisfied that the required
number of houses will be otherwise provided, to prepare and submit
to the Minister proposals for the provision thereof.
(2) If at any time or times after effect has been given by a
local authority to the provisions of the foregoing sub-section it
appears to them that occasion has arisen therefor, or the Minister
so directs, it shall be the duty of the authority to cause a further
inspection to be made and to prepare and submit a report and
proposals as aforesaid as respects their district or any part thereof,
and, where the Minister gives a direction under this sub-section,
he may, after consultation with the local authority, fix dates before
which the performance of the said duties is to be completed.
Section 2 gives the definition of overcrowding.
Section 3 specifies the offences in relation to overcrowding.
Sections 4 and 5 deal with exceptions where the local authority
may, under certain safeguards, permit temporary
overcrowding.
Section 6 relates to entries in rent books, etc., regarding the permitted
number of people who may inhabit a particular
house.
Section 7 gives power to the local authority in regard to publication
of information concerning overcrowding.
Section 8 imposes upon a landlord or his agent the duty to inform
the local authority of any overcrowding that may
occur after the appointed date.
Section 9 gives certain rights to landlords to obtain possession
of an overcrowded house.
Section 10 deals with the enforcement of the foregoing provisions
of the Act by the local authority.
Section 11 imposes upon Medical Officers of Health definite
duties, including the furnishing annually to the
Minister of Health particulars concerning overcrowding.
Section 12 defines "Dwelling-house," "Landlord," "Room,"
"Suitable alternative accommodation."
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