29 DECEMBER 1883, Page 2

Sir Charles Dilke, it is stated, intends very shortly to

put the tenant clauses of the Sanitary Act of 1866 in force over the whole of London. The nuisance authority of the district may then place the whole of the lodging-houses within it under in- spection, compel cleansing and white-washing, limit the number of lodgers, and enforce some strict regulations for the separa- tion of the sexes. Hitherto this Act has remained partially in- operative, from the reluctance of the local authorities to apply for permission to put it in force; but the Local Government Board, emboldened by the growth of public opinion, has now acted over their heads. We fear the number of Inspectors must be increased; but the Act, if severely worked, will prevent the worst instances of overcrowding.