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9
I learn that great dissatisfaction exists among some of the lodging
house keepers, in consequence of a distinction being made between the
space allowed for each bed in the old and in the new lodging houses ; but
I thought, on first reading the Report, that the increased space applied to
all registered lodging houses indiscriminately; and surely such ought to
have been the case; for, it is either necessary for health that 300 cubic feet
be allotted for each bed, or it is unnecessary; and if such a space be necessary
(as I hold it to be), it should surely be applied in all cases, whether it be in a
new house or an old one.
A discussion followed upon the reading of this Report, when several
members freely expressed their opinions upon the subject, and it was unanimously
resolved that, in the opinion of this Board, a space of 300 cubic feet,
at least, should be allowed for each lodger admitted to the registered common
lodging houses, both old and new, and that a communication be
addressed to the Commissioner of Police, to urge that not less 300 cubic feet
should be allowed to each such lodger. The pecuniary loss to the lodging
house keepers, who allow a less space than 300 cubic feet to each bed, ought
not to be considered, when the public health is concerned.
From a circular letter of the Poor Law Board, dated 29th September,
1870, it appears that the Poor Law Board has adopted, as a general rule,
the following scale, recommended by the "Cubic Space Committee," subject
only to such modifications as the peculiar construction of wards sometimes
demanded.
Amount of space in dormitories#
Sick 850 cubic feet.
Lying-in woman 1200 do.
Infirm persons occupying the same
room day and night 700 do.
Infirm persons able to leave their dor-
mitories during the day 500 do.
Healthy persons 300 do.
For the last two classes day room accommodation is required, in addition
to the amount of 500 and 300 cubic feet allotted to them as sleeping accommodation.
The instructions given in this circular letter to the Poor Law Guardians
are not strictly in accordance with the recommendations of Dr. E. Smith, the
Poor Law Inspector, who not only advises for ordinary wards occupied by day
and night a cubic space of 500 feet, but that the floor space be from 54 to GO
feet, and 6 feet across the bed, and that the height of the ward be from 10
to 12 feet, and the space between the beds should not be less than 3 feet.
Dr. E. Smitii further says "that a cubic space of 500 feet is far less useful
in a room 14 feet high than in one 10 feet high; and it follows' that if the
great height exists, a larger cubical space must be allowed. In a very lofty