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71
The Housing Question in London is a very complex one,
and can only be solved by a consideration of the problem as
it affects London as a whole. Migration of the surplus population
and the removal of the industries involved to the outer
zone round London, with an intervening belt of open country,
has been advocated as the best method of dealing with the
question, and, doubtless, the building of a ring of Garden
Cities round London would be followed by a considerable
easing of the situation. Any other method of solution will
have to take into account the transport question.
The housing survey, required by the Ministry of Health,
was prepared by the Health Committee, and submitted on
October 31st, 1919.
A Special Report on the Housing Act, 1919, was submitted
to the Council by the Medical Officer of Health, a copy
of which will be found on page 73-80.
Considerable progress was made by the Housing Committee
by the end of 1919. Preliminary surveys were made of
areas which might be considered, on the report of the Medical
Officer of Health, suitable for official action by the Council in
relation to improvement or reconstruction schemes for the
clearance of insanitary areas under Part I. or Part II. of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, as amended by
subsequent Acts. A preliminary list, containing nine of these
areas, was submitted to the Ministry of Health with the Form
of Survey. Steps had already been taken to ascertain the
number of empty or derelict houses in the Borough which were
suitable for conversion into working-class tenements. The
Housing Board, in order to expedite matters, temporarily
undertook this part of their scheme on behalf of the Council.
With regard to the provision of new working-class dwellings,
progress was being made with the preparation of preliminary
plans and estimates in respect of part of the limited
amount of building land available in the Borough. These
plans contemplate the erection of 110 tenements (two storeys);
24 houses, containing two four-roomed tenements, on various
sites, and 31, containing two three-roomed tenements, on the
vacant site on the Latchmere Estate.
Progress was being made by the Housing Committee in
their efforts to secure that all premises in the Borough shall be
in good sanitary condition, and by the end of 1919 a number
of houses had been dealt with under the provisions of Section
28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919. (This
does not, of course, take account of the considerable number
of houses dealt with by the Health Committee under the provisions
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, particulars
of which will be found in the Summary on page 49).