View report page

is probably building, although there is evidence that the
peak in erection of new dwelling houses has passed.
Apart from the numbers employed in building, market
gardening, at portable building works, the local brewery,
a crisp potato manufactory, and a few smaller
workshops, practically the whole of the population is
engaged in the Metropolitan or other adjacent areas.
Many of the latter are employed in the Woolwich
Arsenal and other engineering works.
I am not aware of any conditions of occupation
which are prejudicial to health within this Borough.
Conditions of environment which are prejudicial to
health obtain only in those houses which are now being
demolished or are to be demolished under the Housing
Acts.
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 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 twothirds
has been here less than seven years.
Unemployment.