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Overcrowded.—Several eases of overcrowding were noted, all being
in dressmaking or millinery workrooms. In six eases notices were
served. The majority were, however, dealt with at the time of inspection,
being largely due to unequal distribution of workers rather than
to actual want of space. The workers themselves are sometimes to be
blamed for this, as they do not always keep to their allotted rooms. A
large number of workroom cards have been filled in and distributed.
These have proved to be of great advantage, as they specify the number
of workers allowed in each room. When tho full number is employed,
the managers are usually reminded that no extra workers must be taken
on, unless further accommodation is provided. In one case after
warning was given, the occupier enlarged the workroom by knocking
down part of the partition wall, in order to be able to accommodate
more workers in the coming season.
Outworkers—Under Section 107 of the Factory and Workshop
Act, 1901, all persons employing outworkers must forward their names
and addresses to the Local Authority twice a year, on or before the
1st February and the 1st August.
At the last return 26 lists were received with a total of 287 outworkers.
Of this number only 63 (or 22 per cent.) live in Chelsea.
The nature of the work carried on by outworkers consists chiefly of
tailoring, outfitting, or boot-making. With the exception of those in
the last-named trade, the majority are women. Those have all been
visited. Several of the outworkers employ assistants, when the
premises are registered as a workshop. In a few cases the outworkers
give out the work to others, but information on this point is difficult to
obtain.
The majority of the outworkers in other Boroughs who work for
Chelsea firms come from Westminster (chiefly tailors), Fulham (chiefly
bootmakers), or Battersea. According to the returns only a small
number of Chelsea residents work for firms in other Boroughs. The
greatest number of names and addresses being again received from
Kensington.
Jan. to June.
June to Deo.
Number of Lists received 27 26
Total number of Outworkers 61 287
Number living in Chelsea 52 63
Number of Inspections made 47 47
Number forwarded 206 208
Received from other Boroughs 43 24
Infantile Mortality Inquiry.
Investigation have also been made with regard to cases of Infantile
Mortality. Particulars are obtained from the mother as to length of
illness, cause of death, whether other children have previously died,
condition of the premises, &c.
The information received is tabulated and kept for reference. The
number of deaths investigated during the year amounted to 135. In