Report from the Select Committee on the Health of Towns ; togeher with the minutes evidence taken before them, and an appendix, and index.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on the Health of Towns.
Date:
[1840?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report from the Select Committee on the Health of Towns ; togeher with the minutes evidence taken before them, and an appendix, and index. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

    28/298
    General Act to aid mend the introduction of a general Act (extending to all towns above a cer- ments ^^^^ population) to facilitate such improvements. They venture to suggest that such an Act should contain provisions calculated to obviate the difficulties pointed out; that it should lay down well-considered regulations as to the forms of proceeding; should enable willing parties to carry out beneficial alterations ; should empower a certain majority (perhaps two-thirds) of the rate-payers of any district to adopt the provisions of the Act, and bind the minority; empower them to choose trustees or commissioners to fulfil the enactments, raise rates, purchase property, complete improvements, &c. Your Committee cannot but wish that such an Act, so essential to the welfare of these densely-peopled districts, should contain clauses to facilitate the commencement of public improvements necessary for health at the sugges- tion of the Board of Health, and for this purpose that, under due provisions, the Board should have the power of ordering surveys and estimates to a I limited amount. Your Committee also think that wherever the Government, I individuals, or any public body shall be willing to provide a certain pro- I portion (as one-fourth or one-third) of the estimate of any such improvement, ; that there should be a power to enable such Commissioners to raise a rate for I the remainder. In this way they believe many spirited and benevolent ' persons would generously come forward to assist and stimulate such beneficial public improvements, which without some such facilities and provisions will / never be made. How far it might be advisable to enable the Lords of Her Majesty's Trea- sury, in certain urgent cases, to advance on good security loans of Exchequer Bills to facilitate such improvements, Your Committee will not undertake to determine. Your Committee have thus ventured to recommend legislative measures to assist in the necessary work of laying down and enforcing sanatory regula- tions for the benefit of the inhabitants of the large towns of this realm. They cannot conclude this Report, which they submit to the consideration of The House, without most earnestly recommending all those who, by fortune, station, or trust, are placed in a position to assist in carrying out these views, to exert themselves to the utmost, and without delay, in aiding the improve- ment suggested in their several towns and neighbourhoods. Whilst Your , Committee is earnestly desirous legislative aid should be given, they are yet . aware, that with zeal, energy, and perseverance much might be done, even I with the present imperfect powers, by individual and combined exertion, to lay the foundation of measures which would afterwards be extended and perfected to the permanent benefit of the community. 17 June 1840.