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
Merton and Morden 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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Details of the overcrowding and decrowding in the individual Wards are given in the following table:—
| Wards. | Dwellings overcrowded at end of 1937. | Number found to be overcrowded during 1938. | N umber decrowded during the year. | Remaining overcrowded at end of 1938. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey | 5 | – | 3 | 2 |
| Bushey Mead | 2 | – | 1 | 1 |
| Central | – | – | – | – |
| Morden | 2 | 1 | 3 | – |
| Park | 1 | – | 1 | – |
| Ravensbury | 20 (a) | 11 (b) | 20 (a) | 11 (b) |
| Raynes Park | – | – | – | – |
| St. Helier | 28 (b) | 8 (b) | 14 (b) | 22 (b) |
| West Barnes | – | – | – | – |
| Whole district | 58 | 20 | 42 | 36 |
(a) Includes 19 London County Council Houses.
(b) All London County Council Houses.
The 20 new cases of overcrowding which came to notice
during the year occurred in the following manner:—
By natural growth of the family in occupation
on the appointed day 16
Otherwise than by natural growth of family
(including illegal overcrowding) 4
Decrowding was effected in the 42 instances in the
following ways:—
Alternative accommodation 21
Lodgers or relatives finding alternative
accommodation 2
Death of any of occupants 2
Marriage or removal of members of family 11
Family removed out of district 6
Alternative accommodation was provided in Council
Houses as follows:—
By Merton and Morden Council Nil.
By London County Council 20
Inspection and Action Taken. The following is a summarised
statement of the work relating to housing carried
out under the Housing and Public Health Acts :—
1. Inspection of Dwelling houses during the year :—
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling houses inspected
for housing defects (under Public
Health or Housing Acts) 312
56