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the compulsory acquisition of Nos. 177 to 187b, Lower Clapton
Road. It is estimated that accommodation will be provided in the
200 tenements for 880 persons.
It may be stated definitely, therefore, that the issue by the
Ministry of Health of Circular 1331. on 6th April, 1933, intended
to expedite the action of local authorities in dealing with housing
problems, found this Council's programme in this connexion in
an advanced stage. In fact, the Borough Council's action in
proceeding with the clearance of slum property has been delayed
very considerably owing to the fact that the Banister Street scheme
for rehousing was curtailed by the Ministry of Health, and that
the Lower Clapton Road rehousing scheme was also held up, since
unhealthy areas cannot be cleared until alternative housing
accommodation is provided.
During the period of pressure upon the living accommodation
in the Borough, more and more underground rooms have become
occupied as living and sleeping places, and now that it is possible
for many of these basement dwellers to secure other accommodation,
either in privately-owned houses, in property owned by the Borough
Council, or on the housing estates of the London County Council,
the Council's Public Health Committee are more rigidly enforcing
the provisions of Section 20 of the Housing Act, 1930.
The number of unhealthy basement dwellings reported to the Public
Health Committee in 1932, together with a statement of the action
taken is given on pages 56 and 57 of this Report.
The entire cost of the Public Health service in the Borough,
including all staff and the maintenance of the Tuberculosis
Dispensaries, the Welfare Centres, Disinfecting Station, Isolation
Shelters and Mortuary, and all forms of assistance under the
Tuberculosis and Maternity and Child Welfare schemes is estimated
during the coming financial year to amount to a rate of 6.4 pence.
No allowance is made in this figure for the Ministry's contribution
in the General Exchequer Grant for Maternity and Child Welfare
and Tuberculosis Dispensary services.
In conclusion, I have to thank the Public Health and Maternity
and Child Welfare Committees for their support and kind consideration,
and I also express my appreciation of the manner in which
my staff have performed their duties.
I am.
Yours obediently,
G. H. DART,
Medical Officer of Health.