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- V -
Housing
Reference has been made to the decrease in population which has
taken place in Southwark during the last ten years, of the order of
11.4 per cent. The provisional figures in the Preliminary Report on
the 19S1 Census show that during the same period the number of private
dwellings increased by 8.3 per cent, from 23,082 in 1951 to 25,001
in 1S31, and that the number of private households fell by 10.2 per
cent from 32,052 in 1951 to 28,783 in 1931. These figures indicate
some easing of the problem of overcrowding in the borough. They are
supported by the figure of families remaining on the register as overcrowded
which in 1952 was 732 and in I960 was 280. Despite this
improvement a substantial volume of serious overcrowding remains with
its concomitant danger to the health of young children as well as, in
many instances, to the mental health of their parents.
A great deal of work was undertaken by the Public Health Inspectors
to improve housing conditions by dealing with sanitary defects.
Work was carried out in default wherever necessary.
Clean Air
A considerable portion of the time of Mr. Stubbs and the Public
Health Inspectors was devoted to Clean Air, and it can be seen from
Mr. Stubbs' report that much progress was made during the year.
The late Mr. Councillor J.J. Sheen.
The entire staff of the Public Health Department experienced
a sense of loss as the result of the death on 13th January, 1961, of
Mr. Councillor J.J. Sheen, Chairman of the Public Health Committee
for so many years. Councillor Sheen worked hard for Public Health in
Southwark and he was held in high regard by all with whom he came
into contact.
Conclusion
My thanks are due to the Chairmen and Members of the various
Committees for their support and encouragement and for their interest
in public health matters throughout the year. I am most grateful to
the other Chief Officers for their co-operation. I also wish to express
my appreciation and thanks to the Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr.
H. Archer, to Mr. E. A. Clark, Senior Clerk, as well as to the entire
staff of the Public Health Department for their enthusiastic support
and assistance.
I have the honour to be
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
Your obedient servant,
A.D.C.S. CAMERON
Medical Officer of Health