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The Rag Flock and Other Pilling Materials Act, 1951.
This Act is producing useful results. Gone are the days when old rags from
dustbins, unsaleable for any other purpose, could have soluble chlorides extracted
down to the permissable limit, by steeping them in tanks of cold water, the rags,
often unmentionably filthy, afterwards being shredded and used for the filling of
pillows, bedding or furniture.
There has come about a more moral attitude generally, whilst sections of the
bedding industry have, through their research departments, made very great progress.
The quiet pressure, mentioned in the last Annual Report, has been maintained.
In one case samples of Rag Flock were taken from a manufacturers premises which on
analysis were certified to contain 1.8# of soluble impurities, chlorine in the form of
soluble chlorides was present to the extent of 86 parts per 100,000, and oil or soap 2.3#.
As the soluble chlorides were so far in excess of the permitted limit of 30 parts
per 100,000, proceedings were instituted, when the defendants entered a plea of guilty and
the Justices imposed a fine of £5 and ordered the payment of £5.4s.6d. costs and the
sample to be forfeited under Section 20 of the Act.
The number of official samples taken under the Act during 1952 was eleven and with
the one exception mentioned, these complied with the standard of cleanliness prescribed
by the Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Regulationss 1951-
Housing.
The housing situation is still most unsatisfactory. The preliminary census figures
were of great interest and bear out statements which I have made for years past to the
effect that the clamour for housing accommodation is due to the increase in the number of
families per thousand persons. It is certainly not due to the increase In overcrowding as
such. In 1931, the persons contained per household in West Ham were 3.96. In 1951, this
figure had gone down to 3.21. In 1931, the number of persons per room was 1.14; in 1951,
this had fallen to O.85. The percentage of persons living more than 2 per room in 1931 was
17.45; in 1951 this had fallen to 1.25.
Insofar as repairs to dwellings are concerned, building costs remained very high,
whilst no amendment has yet been made to the Rent Restriction Acts, so that large numbers
of houses are falling into decay, due in part to age and in part to the impossibility of
meeting the cost of repairs out of restricted rents.
Every effort is made to retain in occupation numerous dwellings which in normal times
would be swept away by Clearance Orders.
During the year 5489 notices were served under the Public Health Act, 1936. Some
owners when faced with Notices to repair, offer their houses to the Council as a free gift
and considerable difficulties are experienced in the Courts owing to the economics of the
situation. 325 Summonses were issued in respect of non-compliance.
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