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
West Ham 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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The conditions found in these old houses which have been
split up into tenements are often far from satisfactory, and some
amelioration can only be effected by means of bye-laws, which have
not yet been adopted.
Common lodging houses. There are now eight common
lodging houses in the borough, containing a total number of 419
beds, all of which are for males.
T able 11.
S pecial visits by inspectors. 1937.
| Samples taken under Rag Flock Act | 35 | |
| Samples of domestic water supplies taken for analysis or bacteriological examination | - | |
| Number of notices served | 6,923 | |
| Warning letters sent re-matters not dealt with by notice | 70 | |
| Defective houses dealt with | 6,818 | |
| Other defective or insanitary conditions dealt with | 6 | |
| Drain tests carried out | 312 | |
| Certificates granted under Rent Restrictions, etc. Acts | 16 | |
| Number of notices complied with | (1) by owner | 6,381 |
| (2) by occupier | 20 | |
| Summonses issued | 863 | |
These premises are all old buildings adapted for the purpose
of receiving lodgers. No application was received for registration
of new premises, and the number of lodgers continues to fall. The
keepers were changed in two instances.
During the year 41 visits were paid by the sanitary
inspectors to these premises and minor defects were dealt with
verbally.
One common lodging house was closed during the year,
following proceedings at court for infringement of bye-laws. A
fine of 10s. was imposed in respect of each of five summonses.
Further proceedings were taken later for a continued offence after
notice. At the second hearing the defendant stated that he had an
average of only 22 lodgers at 9d. per night each, and that he would
prefer to close the house rather than be compelled to comply with
the bye-laws. The chief sanitary inspector, conducting the
prosecution, applied for an adjournment on an undertaking to
close, and as the business was duly discontinued, the case was
eventually withdrawn on payment of costs.
319