The Times.
Saturday, 17 November 1888.

PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
FRIDAY, November 16.

COMMON LODGING-HOUSES, LONDON.

Mr. HOWELL asked the Home Secretary whether he would consider the propriety of strengthening the law for regulating common lodging-houses in the metropolis, and of seeing that the provisions now in force were more fully carried out as regarded inspection, registration, and overcrowding.

Mr. MATTHEWS. - I am informed by the police authorities that the provisions of the existing law are fully carried out. There are officers specially appointed in every district of London to inspect the common lodging-houses and to enforce the existing regulations against overcrowding and against insanitary conditions. The regulations have proven in the main sufficient to prevent overcrowding and to secure cleanliness and order, but I think they are capable of being strengthened as regards the inspection of sanitary improvements, and I will consider that question carefully with the assistance of the local authority.

Mr. HOWELL asked whether there was [sic] any reports from these inspectors which could be laid on the table.

Mr. MATTHEWS said he did not think the reports were in a form to be so produced.

Mr. HOWELL asked whether many of the crimes of the last few years had not been more or less associated with common lodging-houses.

Mr. MATTHEWS said he could not assent to the proposition in that general form.