View report page

3
extremely difficult. No record of the internal movement of sanitary
areas was available, but it was known that during the war such movement
in Westminster was abnormal and extensive, due to the arrival
and departure of members of the British Forces, of the Forces of the
Dominions, Colonies and Allied Powers, of War Refugees, Munition
Workers and Officials in Government Departments.
The Registrar-General says that the estimates based on the food
rationing records and other sources of information were bound to be
crude, and little would be gained by attempting any detailed comparisons
between them and the enumerated population of 1921.
It has been pointed out on previous occasions that the Census
returns for Westminster are probably lower than they ought to be on
account of the enumeration taking place on a Sunday when the inhabitants
have gone elsewhere for the week end. This year the Census
having been taken in June, which was an unusually fine and warm month,
a number of people were already away on holiday, but possibly this might
be counterbalanced by visitors to Westminster from the country and
abroad.
The total figures will have to be amended, especially as regards the
number of persons at advanced ages, when the number is known of the
inmates in the Westminster Workhouse and Infirmary which are in the
Borough of Chelsea.
In the St. George's Division the decrease was only 4,082, or 5-2 per
cent, compared with 7,308, or 8-58 per cent, in 1911. The total reduction
in the 20 years was 11,390. u
The Abbey Division as might be expected shows a much larger reduction
in population, viz., 14,862, or 18 per cent., compared with 15,442,
or 15-7 per cent, in 1911. The total decrease in the 20 years was 30,304.
This is accounted for by the extensive alterations which have taken place
in that period in the Strand and in St. John's districts, by the gradual
transformation of dwelling houses into business premises, by the closure
of Poland Street and Sheffield Street Workhouses, and by the discontinuance
of the living in of employees of many large business firms.
Males and Females.—Throughout the whole country the Census figures
show that there is an increased proportion of females to males. In 1911,
to evory 100 males there were 106-8 females, in 1921 the proportion has
risen to 109*5. This is one of the direct legacies of the war. In London
the proportion was 112-6 in 1911, 116-3 in 1921.