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REPORT OF THE CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to submit an abbreviated Annual Report which
summarises the work carried out by your Sanitary Inspectors
during the year ended 31st December, 1945.
Housing Conditions. In Merton and Morden houses
occupied by, or suitable for the occupation of persons defined
as " working classes " are, in my opinion generally of a high
standard, but unfortunately in the older parts of the district,
there are a substantial number of dwellings which, but for the
outbreak of the late World War, would no doubt have been
dealt with as Clearance Areas, or as individually unfit houses
as provided for by the Housing Act, 1936. Owing to the
cessation of maintenance repairs as a result of the war years,
there has been a progressive deterioration, sometimes amounting
to actual decay, of the poorer type of houses situated
particularly in the north-eastern part of the district. The
condition of the properties has been aggravated by damage
by enemy action.
Shortage of labour and of materials has made it
impossible to proceed to any appreciable extent under the
provisions of the Housing Act and so alleviate those insanitary
conditions which are prevalent and common, not only to this
Urban District but to the country as a whole. The provision
of new houses must of course take first priority but one trusts
that as this progresses there will soon be a sufficient supply
of labour and materials available for maintaining existing
houses in all respects fit for human habitation.
It is hoped that the time is not far distant when it will
not be possible to claim that lack of materials prevent the
execution of repairs essential to the health and well-being of
those who live under the present unsatisfactory conditions.
Housing Inspections. The total number of houses inspected
during the year for " sanitary defects" under the Public
Health and Housing Acts was 457. Action taken in connection
with defective dwelling houses is set out in the housing table
on pages 48 and 49.
Notices specifying the necessary work required to remedy
sanitary defects were served upon owners of properties as
follows:—
Intimation notices 375
Statutory notices:—
Public Health Act, 1936 42
Housing Act, 1936 9
41