HOUSING SURVEY ACT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 8

HOUSING SURVEY ACT

"POWERS OF INSPECTION

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —What powers are embodied under the administration of the above Act? What is its object? ; No one knows and,seems to care less! Have the officers employed, the right and power to pry into every corner of one's home? If so, what is the object therefor? This legislation was sprung on the general public. Why? What does the division list on this Bill, passed by the House, divulge? By giving us the facts of this iniquitous measure you will be conferring a benefit on every householder.—l am, etc., . ■ ,■'■. INQUIRER.

The Housing Survey .Act, .1935, was passed while the Coalition Government was in office. Briefly, it requires urban local authorities to carry out a housing survey to ascertain the extent of the housing shortage and particularly (1) the extent of overcrowding; (2) the extent to which the physical condition of dwelling-houses fails to ensure a reasonable standard of health and comfort; (3) the number of people detrimentally affected. The power of inspection is given by section s,which states:— - ■ ■■•; ; "1. For the purpose of making any housing survey under this Act, any person authorised in writing; in that behalf by the local authority concerned, or by the Minister of Finance, as the case may be, may, after giving not less than twenty-four hours' notice to the occupier,,enter any dwelling-house or other premises dnd make such' examination thereof as may be necessary for the purposes of the survey. If the occupier of any premises is, not the owner, notice under this section shall, if practicable, be also given to. the owner.' ' '..--.• . .:'..'-.". "2. Every person /who j obstructs any, duly authorised person in the exercise of his powers of entry and examination under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten; pounds for every day on which such offence is committed." ■• '-'/■'■ *i The Act continues in force only until December 31, 1937. • There; was no division when the Bill was,before the House of Representatives.—Ed.