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59
families, where before, they were occupied by only one or two; and
if I turn them out of those houses on account of their being overcrowded,
I do not know where they can go, so that to some extent,
I am often powerless to effect satisfactory improvements."
Conditions still remain the same as far as overcrowding is
concerned, but it can be said with truth that in spite of this constant
dilliculty of overcrowding to contend with, great strides have been
made in the comfort, habits and cleanliness of the district. Water
carriage and sewerage systems have replaced old brick drains and
cesspools, large areas have been cleared of slums, and although the
property is fifty years older, it is, even if dilapidated, in a more
sanitary conditition than in years gone by, and in many instances
the drains below ground are in better condition than the houses
above them.
No mention is made in any part of the pamphlet that the tenants
are often largely to blame where dirty and neglected conditions
exist, and that rooms are often dilapidated by carelessness although
the landlord has done them up quite recently.
Vermin and rats are frequently mentioned and are no doubt
very prevalent, but no mention is made of the fact that the Council
employ a special Official to assist the Inspectors in dealing with rats,
and that they also spray rooms for other vermin. The Council also
lend out sprays with vermicide for the tenants' own use when
requested. By employing these means, a noticeable reduction has
been effected in the last two years in the numbers of complaints
concerning rats, mice, and bugs.
On the other hand, full credit is given to the work of the
Sanitary Inspectors in their efforts to ameliorate existing conditions
and follow up the improvements already effected, and the fact is
alluded to more than once that under the Housing Act of 1925, there
were discovered 10,000 houses which were, to quote the wording of
the Act "not in all inspects fit for human habitation" The criticism
might in justice to Southwark go on to state that over 8,000 of these
houses were made so before the end of that year, while considerable
work was in hand on the remainder.
The whole trend of the report is to suggest that no progress is
being made in Southwark, and this 1 strongly deny and refer those
interested and who can take an unbiassed view of the question to the