[Report 1933] / Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer of Health, Reading County Borough.

  • Reading (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1933
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1933] / Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer of Health, Reading County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Housing. There were 771 new houses erected in the borough during the year. This number is somewhat less than that of the preceding year but is greater than that of any other year since the war. It is noteworthy that 503 of these new houses were erected by private enterprise. Although the shortage of houses has probably become somewhat less acute it should be remembered that many of the houses now being erected are rented at sums far beyond the capacity of working-class tenants to pay. Cases of overcrowding in the poorer houses and in houses let in lodgings are still frequently reported. The programme of slum clearance has been steadily continued during the year. Demolition was completed in respect of two areas represented in 1932 and representations were made in respect of three further areas during the year. The clearance of slum properties in the Coley and Silver street areas is now approaching completion. Draft bye-laws for the regulation of houses let in lodgings have been submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval. Experience here and elsewhere has shown that the problem of large houses let in lodgings to members of different families is one of difficulty and importance. Cremation. The Medical Officer of Health is the medical referee to the Reading crematorium and issues the necessary authority to cremate. Sixty-eight such authorizations were issued during the year. It is noteworthy that the great majority of applications for cremation come from persons outside the borough. In conclusion, I should like to express my indebtedness to all members of the staff for the zeal and loyalty with which they have carried out their duties. I am, Your obedient servant, H. J. MILLIGAN, Medical Officer of Health.