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and following such inspections, dwellings to the number of 279 were
repaired as a result of informal action and 2,374 as a result of formal
action under the Public Health (London) Act, in 29 instances the Council
carried out the necessary works in the owners' default. During the
year two slum clearance areas, one at Downham Road involving 14 houses
and 20 families, and one at Holmbrook Street comprising 12 houses and 17
families, were represented, and Clearance Orders were made by the
Borough Council. The London County Council represented 31 houses in
the Marlow Road area, and made a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of
this area, and some 120 adjoining houses. Under Sections 11 and 12 of
the Housing Act, 1936, two Demolition Orders and one Closing Order were
made in respect of houses, and Closing Orders to the number of 33 were
made in respect of individual underground rooms at 15 premises. Demolition
and Closing Orders necessitated the rehousing of 19 families by the
Borough Council. Under the provisions of the Housing Repairs and Rents
Act 1954, thirty-four Certificates of Disrepair were granted, and
ninety-one certificates were revoked. Since the Act came into operation
in August, 1954, a total of 458 Certificates of Disrepair have been
issued of which 266 have been revoked; applications for the Revocation
of Certificates of Disrepair to the number of 37 have been refused.
Atmospheric Pollution. The year under review will always be a landmark
in environmental Public Health legislation, as the Clean Air Act
received Royal Assent in July, and the various sections are to come into
operation on dates to be appointed by the Minister of Housing and Local
Government. If the powers contained in this Act are implemented by the
responsible local authorities it would appear that the prospect of a
reasonably clean atmosphere will be achieved in the lifetime of the
present generation. To attain this end a big task faces local government;
the implementation of the Act to the full will necessitate much
effort and expenditure of time and money, but the improvement in health
and the saving of human lives, as well as the material advantages to be
gained will, however, be worth while results. This paramount problem
of atmospheric pollution has far too long been shelved, and the opportunity
now presented must not be missed. Domestic chimneys are
responsible for more than fifty per cent. of our air pollution and the
establishment of smoke control areas is undoubtedly one of the most
urgent requirements. To deal with the additional burden of work which
will of necessity fall on the department, the Council during the year
agreed to my recommendation that the establishment of the department be
revised to provide for additional appointments of one Assistant Clean
Air Inspector and one experienced Clerical Assistant.
Mortuary and Coroner's Court. As a result of the reorganisation of
Coroners' Districts in London, the use of the Hackney Coroner's Court,
which is Borough Council property, was discontinued, and the agreement
with the London County Council for the use of the premises, terminated
on December 31st, 1955. The accommodation previously in use as a
Coroner's Court, and which is part of the Mortuary building, has now
been leased to the London Hospital Medical College for use as a Department
of Forensic Medicine for a term of three years from the 1st January,
1956; there is an option for the renewal of this lease for a further
Period of two or four years. Following the review of Coroners'
Districts, bodies from the boroughs of Bethnal Green and Shoreditch
which had previously been sent to the Poplar Mortuary, are now sent to
the Hackney Mortuary. Prior to 1956 the Stoke Newington Borough