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Inspection of dwelling houses. Table II shows the
number of inspections and sanitary notices served in the sixteen
wards of the borough during the year 1937. (These figures do
not include inspections for the purpose of testing drainage or
supervising works incidental thereto.)
OVERCROWDING.
The provision of certificates of permitted numbers to landlords
was continued and a certificate has now been supplied in
respect of every working-class house. The policy of giving
permitted numbers in respect of tenancies and not of houses has
proved to be wise and has been continued. As tenancies change
and rooms are added or otherwise, new certificates are provided.
It was found possible to relieve 66 cases of overcrowding,
and there can be no doubt that proceedings must be instituted in
all cases where, despite the insertion of permitted numbers in rent
books, occupiers sub-let, or landlords let and persons occupy,
rooms in contravention of the Act. There were no prosecutions
in this connection during 1937.
SLUM CLEARANCE.
During the year no representations of unhealthy areas were
made by the medical officer of health. The slowing up of slum
clearance was due largely to local difficulties presented by the
Tidal Basin No. 1 Clearance Area. As these difficulties are
considered to be of general importance, they are discussed more
fully below. Work in connection with four other areas was held
up pending the decision on the Tidal Basin case. The particulars
regarding these four areas are given below:—
Area No. of houses. Persons to be displaced.
White Hart Cottages 6 19
Castle Buildings 11 149
Cam Road 30 122
Abbey Road 12 43
Tidal Basin Clearance Area. The decision of the Minister of
Health regarding the Tidal Basin Clearance Area has been
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