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that the Council has undertaken the removal, and disinfestation
by hydro-cyanic acid gas of the effects of all tenants. This in
itself is a vastly important procedure.
However, important and highly commendable as the provision
of the 290 dwellings at the Westcroft Estate is, it must
not be assumed that the housing problem in Hampstead is thereby
solved. Unfortunately it is too prevalent for low wage earners
to be called upon to pay no less than 20 to 25 shillings per week
for two and three roomed accommodation. This is, of course,
an undue proportion of the family income, and as a consequence
it has a very serious reaction on the general health and well-being
of the parents and children. Not until satisfactory housing
accommodation is offered at rentals which the working classes
can afford to pay can one consider that the housing difficulty has
been solved. This, to my mind, is the greatest difficulty which
has to be overcome in Hampstead.
At the time of writing the Housing Bill is before Parliament,
the object of which is to make for further and better provision
for the abatement and prevention of overcrowding, etc., and to
which further reference is made in the report.
6. Inspection and Supervision of Food.
The usual high standard of food stuffs has been maintained
in the Borough. The work carried out by the Department in
this respect is contained in Section 6 of the Report.
7. Prevalence and Control of Infectious Disease.
Apart from a short but severe outbreak of measles, the
Borough was comparatively free from infectious disease. This
epidemic of measles commenced in February and lasted until the
end of May, during which time 1,311 cases were notified, resulting
in 9 deaths, principally in children of pre-school age. Measles
has been notifiable in Hampstead since 1920, and as a consequence
we are in a position to ascertain its mortality rate and make
appropriate comparison with that of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria,
reference to which is made on page 109.
The Scheme for Immunisation against Diphtheria has been
greatly augmented, and every endeavour is being made to make