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160
the most marked degree in those portions of the Borough in
immediate proximity to the boundary of the City of London.
Such changes inevitably resulted in overcrowding, and there
was, in fact, a greater number of persons per house in Finsbury
in 1901 (10.9), as compared with London as a whole (8.0) ||.
From these figures it is proved (i) that the population of
Finsbury is a declining one ; (ii) that the density per acre is a
declining one ; but (iii) that the density per house is an
increasing one. Time and the ordinary process of events, if
coupled with strict sanitary supervision and enforcement of the
Public Health Act, will ultimately solve the insanitary Housing
problem in this Borough. But in the meantime, and during the
transition period, the problem is a very acute one. There
are two further points which must not be ignored if the
whole question is to receive adequate consideration. First, in a
Borough like Finsbury, the industrial classes may be divided in
a general way into two divisions, those able to live away from
their work and those not able to do so. There is evidence to
show that the first group is a rapidly increasing one, and the
the need of many of the workers to live near their work is a
diminishing need. Particularly will this be so, as means of
transit are improved.* Notwithstanding this, there will be for
many years to come a considerable population of persons who
must, or will, live near their work. For this population who are
immovable, accommodation must be found. Secondly, Central
London inevitably tends to become like the City of London,
namely, a place for business development and commercial
premises. On this account the price of land and the cost of
|| Ibid pp. 64 and 65
º Without some improved means of transit (cheap and rapid) the
carrying out of the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes
Act and the Public Health (London) Act, must involve the incurrence of
considerable hardship upon persons, it was the object of these Acts to
assist, and in this and other ways, a satisfactory early solution of the
Housing problem in Central London is largely impracticable and
ineffectual.