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59
HOUSING
This is one of the most important aspects of environmental work undertaken
by the Department, as bad housing is one of the main underlying causes
of ill-health. The three main Housing Acts with which this Department is concerned
are those enacted in 1957, 1961 and 1964 and details of action taken
during the year under review are set out below:-
HOUSING ACT 1957
Clearance Areas. One clearance area was declared involving 107 houses, 174
families and 486 persons.
Individual Unfit Premises. Two demolition orders and seven closing orders were
made in respect of whole houses.
Closing orders were made in respect of parts of 30 houses; these included
34 individual underground rooms. During the year 17 such closing orders were
determined.
HOUSING ACT 1961
Management Orders. Management orders were made in respect of 48 houses where
proper standards of management had not been maintained, bringing the total
number of management orders made by the Council to 77.
Directions. Under the provisions of the Housing Act, 1961, a local authority
may give Directions limiting the number of individuals who should occupy the
house having regard to the amenities available.
It is the practice of this Council to give a Direction where this Department
is notified by the Housing Department and the Greater London Council
that re-housing is to take place from a house in multiple occupation. In
addition. Directions are given in respect of other houses wnere conditions
justify such action. During the year a total of 468 Directions were given
and there are now 1,392 houses which are subject to Directions. Legal proceedings
in respect of contraventions of Directions were instituted in respect
of 5 cases.
HOUSING ACT 1964
The Housing Act, 1964, provides inter alia for the compulsory improvement
of dwellings if the Council is satisfied that the area consists of dwellings,
at least one-half of which lack one or more of the standard amenities. These
areas are known as Improvement Areas.
A tenant of a house outside an Improvement Area may ask the Local Authority
to secure the improvement of his house. No new applications regarding provision
of amenities to the standard as set out in Section 43 of the Act, were received
in 1967, but 4 notices requiring immediate improvements to the full standard to
be carried out were served in respect of applications made in the previous year.
HOUSING SURVEY
Early in the year the Greater London Council conducted a survey of the
conditions in some 100,000 dwellings throughout London. This Council cooperated
in the survey and the public health inspectors carried out more than
1, 200 inspections.
FOOD AND DRUGS
The increase in the marketing of pre-packed foods has made it necessary to
introduce a new approach to ensure that the descriptive labelling on the package
or container, and any advertisement of a food does not mislead the purchaser