London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Show the table value of areas.
| Population at April,1911. | Children under 5 years at April, 191 1. | Rateable value at October,1911. | Rateable value pei-head of population. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | 160261 | 9755 | £6422553 | £40.07 |
| Willesden | 154344 | 17784 | £897555 | £5.81 |
It must be remembered that the above figures represent an
extreme case, and that again some portion of the City of
Westminster's wealth will come back to Willesden in the
grant due from the State in respect of Child Welfare work.
But having regard even to these facts it is not unreasonable
for Willesden to expect proportionately a greater grant from
Imperial sources than Westminster. On the other hand
it must be remembered that the greater the proportion of
the cost defrayed by the Government the greater will be
their control, and it is always open to argument if bureaucratic
is superior to the popular control exercised by a properly
constituted local authority.
In any case, however these problems are settled, there
is no doubt that the need for beginning some definite scheme
of Child Welfare work in Willesden is urgent. The
methods which may be adopted are set out in my Report on
this subject, which appears as Appendix D in the present
report, and I would urge the Council to make a start on the
lines suggested, at an annual cost to the rates of ,£1,712.