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105
HOUSING.
The 1901 Census revealed the fact that 30 per cent,
of the population in the Borough was overcrowded on
the low basis of more than 2 persons per room.
The 1921 Census showed that the percentage of
overcrowding on the same basis was 27 per cent. In
20 years, in spite of much discussion about Housing,
only 10 per cent, of the overcrowded population had
been dealt with.
It is unfortunate that the full results of the 1931
Census are not available at the time this report is being
prepared and do not seem likely to be published before
the report must be issued. I am not, therefore, able to
say what has been the precise change in the position
since 1921. Such Census figures as have been obtained,
however, give no grounds for optimism. While the
population has fallen by 7.7 per cent, the number of
separate dwellings has also slightly fallen, while the
number of families (i.e. separate occupiers of dwellings)
has actually increased. The apparent inconsistency of a
reduction in population and increase in families is no
doubt explained by the changing age composition of the
population arising from the reduced birth rate.
OVERCROWDING.
I have to report the same unsatisfactory position
with regard to overcrowding as in 1930. Low as are
the official standards of overcrowding, it is well known
that hundreds of families are living considerably below
them. As it is also known that the great majority of
these families are too. poor to pay the I'ent for the
accommodation they really require, even if it were available,
we are compelled to close our eyes to the continued
breach of the law. Occasionally attention is drawn
officially to a case more terrible than usual in its defiance
of decency and health and then "action" of some kind
is attempted. Twenty-four such cases were reported to