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I am not aware of any conditions of occupation
which are prejudieal to health within this Borough.
Conditions of environment which are prejudicial to
health obtain only in those houses which are now rapidly
becoming the subject of representation by myself as unfit
for human habitation.
There have been many pleas for a five year Census
as opposed to a Decennial Census, and there is no doubt
that every argument could be used especially in an area
such as this. The many valuable facts to be gleaned
from the Registrar General's Reports on the Census are
.not available to this Borough as the last Census (1931)
refers to a population of less than half that are now living
here. The primary facts of the Census, namely, the
population, age groups, Housing conditions, etc., would
be of infinite value to the work of the Health Department,
and no doubt to other Departments also, and although
probably the Registrar General's Estimate is
fairly close to the actual figure of total population, the
other information must await the next Decennial Census
in 1941. Until such information is received it is not.
possible to give figures relating to the occupations, etc.,
of the inhabitants, and in the meantime we must accept
the position that we are a Greater London dormitory
town with a population of which nearly two thirds has
been here less than six years.
Unemployment.
The following figures kindly supplied by the Manager
of the Bexleyheath Unemployment Office show the
total unemployed at the beginning and end of the year
respectively. : —
January 4th, 19-37
January 3rd, 1938
Men
633
741
Women
198
222
Boys
26
75
Girls
29
96
Total
886
1134
As the larger proportion of the exchange register
is made up of employees in the building trades, thu
weather conditions control the present numbers of unemployed,
and the above unemployment figures cannot be
taken as a present indication of the social or economic
conditions.
Many of the employed population are now working
in armament factories in Woolwich and Crayford, and
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