INHABITED BASEMENTS AND CHILDREN
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—It is gratifying to learn from your columns that the Westminster Housing Trust has now been formed as a Public Utility Society, and that but £6,090 is needed for the purchase of the Pulford Street site. But every person of good will must regret to find that Miss Margesson reports that Westminster, the centre of our Imperial civilization, still has " many inhabited basements in which children as well as adults sleep " and that sad instances can still be quoted " of families living in overcrowded conditions in dark, insanitary underground rooms." Someone or some persons must be making profit of the letting of these horrible dwellings. The traffic, surely, needs check and regulation.
Presumably, the City of Westminster has not yet framed by-laws on this matter. May one beg that those valiant persons who made a survey of overcrowding and slumdom in Westminster some years back, and any other persons who may have influence with the City Council, will press upon that body the need for regulation by by-law and of effective action ? And, with Col. Barton, may one urge that there is need of workers to undertake surveys in many other London boroughs ?
In thanking those of your readers who have made repre- sentations to the Ministry of Health on the need for over- riding powers, to be entrusted to the London County Council, or to the Ministry itself, in case of default or inaction by the boroughs, may I say that there is still need for pressure on this issue ?—I am, Sir, &c., W. E. LLEWELLYN. 4 Henderson Road, S.W. 18.
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