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within a building. This is rendered more probable by
the fact that the number of inhabited buildings in
London increased between 1901 and 1911, while the
population diminished.
The relative position of Fulham, compared with
other metropolitan boroughs, as regards overcrowding,
was, however, less satisfactory in 1911 than in 1901, as
in the latter year in only nine boroughs was the proportion
of overcrowding lower than in Fulham, while
in 1911 fourteen boroughs had less.
Judging from the complaints received and the
observations of the Inspectors in the course of their
duties, it is probable that there is much more overcrowding
in the borough than there was nine years ago,
though, as pointed out above, this is not confirmed
by the returns of the Ministry of Food. No reliable
figures, however, as to the amount of overcrowding
can be given until the results of the census to be taken
in April, 1921, are forthcoming.
2. Measures taken to deal with Overcrowding.—
With the existing shortage of houses, but little could
be done to deal with overcrowding. In five cases in
which there was gross overcrowding, notices requiring
its abatement were served under the Public Health
Act, and in one case in which the notice was not complied
with, a summons was issued and an abatement
order made. In other cases endeavours were made to
secure cleanliness of the overcrowded rooms and proper
use of all means of ventilation.
III. Fitness of Houses.
1. (a) General Standard of Houses in the Borough:—
The working-class houses in Fulham consist largely
of two-storey houses, most of which were constructed
to house two families, and the remainder have been
adapted to that purpose with varying degrees of completeness.
The average accommodation provided consists
of three or four rooms, scullery and w.c. In the
larger proportion there is a common entrance to the two