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84
HOUSING.
102. Population. The population of the Borough is estimated
to be 141,918, and is referred to in detail in the General Report.
No important changes have taken place during the year, but it is
well to bear in mind that history may repeat itself (as after the
South African War), and reductions in employment at the Royal
Arsenal may affect the population of Woolwich. On the other
hand, a large percentage of the additional staff employed in the
Royal Arsenal during the War did not reside in the Borough, so
that even if discharges are drastic, they will have to be very
drastic indeed before their effect is apparent on the numbers
included in the present.day population. The general tendency
of the population of London to migrate from the centre to the
periphery has also a bearing on the population of Woolwich,
tending towards its increase.
103. The following table shews in statistical form information
relating to the number of houses in the Borough : .
No. of houses 26,211
do. for the working classes 22,072
New houses for the working classes erected
during the year 1
No. of houses for the working classes in
course of erection Nil
Shortage of Houses.
104. The following report which was presented to the Council
by the Public Health and Housing Committee, on the 16th July,
1919, shews the extent of the shortage of houses in Woolwich
and the measures contemplated to meet that shortage :—
"As desired by the Council, we appointed a Special
Committee to consider the provisions of the Housing and
Town Planning Bill and the necessity for providing houses in