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for human habitation, whilst the Compulsory Purchase Order No. 3
referred to the lands adjoining the Clearance Areas the acquisition
of which the Council contended was necessary to the satisfactory
development of the area, although the property thereon was not
necessarily in an insanitary condition.
Evidence in support of the confirmation of the Compulsory
Purchase Orders was given by myself, a Medical Officer of the
London County Council, and the Architect employed by the Council
in connexion with this and other of the Council's housing schemes
in the Borough, whilst objections to the scheme were made by various
owners and occupiers of premises affected by the Orders.
Clearance Areas Nos. 1 and 2 were dealt with in the first place
and evidence as to the condition of the houses was taken from the
Council's witnesses and the property owners and their representatives.
Several of the tenants also gave evidence as to the condition
of the houses. The evidence of the tenants was generally to the
effect that they had been living in the houses for a number of years
and did not desire to move to other accommodation, where a higher
rental would probably be required. The views of a group of
tenants, particularly with regard to this question of rentals, were
expressed by a representative.
The inquiry closed with the taking of evidence regarding the
shop properties referred to in Compulsory Purchase Order No. 3.
A visit of inspection of the areas was made by the Ministry
of Health Inspector a few days after the close of the inquiry.
In December, 1932, the Minister of Health informed the
Council that he had decided not to confirm the Compulsory Purchase
Order No. 3 in view of the probable high cost of acquisition of
the properties included and to the fact that he did not consider
the inclusion of these properties essential to enable the Council to
discharge their re-housing obligations.
Orders Nos. 1 and 2 received the confirmation of the Minister,
with the exception of that part of No. 1 Order relating to the public
house at No. 32, Homerton Row.
The action of the Minister had the effect of reducing the
re-housing capacity of the sites from 1,142 persons to 448 persons
and defeats the object of the Council to re-house on these sites
persons to be displaced from other areas not suitable for re-building
included in the Council's provisional proposals relating to slum
clearance.
The Council's Architects have submitted a scheme for the
provision of 95 tenements to house 448 persons on the sites approved
by the Minister for compulsory purchase, and the preparation of
details in connexion with the scheme are proceeding.