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The operation of this section of the Housing Act at this time
is complicated by the question of alternative accommodation for the
tenants of occupied houses, but whilst there is no legal obligation
on the local authority to provide alternative accommodation for
these families, it has generally been possible to rehouse them in
requisitioned property, when necessary.
Housing Act, 1936, Sections 9 and 10.
There has been no relaxation in the operation of Sections 9 and
10 of the Housing Act, 1936, whereby repairs to insanitary houses
are secured; but considerable difficulty has been experienced in
carrying out the requirements of the notices issued, chiefly on
account of restrictions on the availability of building materials.
It will be recalled that in January, 1946, the Ministry of Works
announced the continuance of licensing, limiting unlicensed work to
the value of £10, plus a further amount of £2 per month. The
effect of this was to curtail very considerably the normal maintenance
work carried out by owners.
The position was aggravated by a further announcement in
April, 1946, of a priority scheme for the allocation of building
materials. In this scheme, priority was given to work which made
additional housing accommodation available. The immediate
effect was to stop repair work completely, although this was partly
rectified by Ministry of Health Circular 100/46 which provided for
certificates in respect of the following:—
Sanitary breakdown: Repairs to avoid collapse: Work required
by Statutory Notice.
This list was extended by Circular 138/46, in June, to include
Repair of gas and other fittings: Repair of drains and
sewers.
In September, 1946, local authorities received Ministry of
Health Circular 171/46, which stated (inter alia) that "the Minister
is aware that there is a huge pent-up demand for repairs and improvements
in existing dwellings. But this demand in the immediate
future can be met only at the expense of seriously impeding the
construction of new houses. The policy is clear that new houses
must come first. Repairs to existing houses, badly needed though
it be, must be deferred."
Nevertheless it became necessary to apply more extensively
than in any other year, the Corporation's powers to carry out work in
owners' default, and reference to the housing statistics included in