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50
t
The deficiency of rooms on tliis standard is greatest in Finsbury,
Shoreditch and other East End boroughs, whereas there is an excess in
Lewisham, Wandsworth and Hampstead.
Disregarding differences in type of accommodation and size of rooms,
the population in Westminster and in London as a whole is, on a general
average of rooms per person, less densely housed than in 1911.
While the amount of overcrowding has decreased there is in Westminster
also an improvement in its intensity. In 1901 this may be taken
as 108, in 1911 although less in amount the intensity had risen to 112, now
it has fallen to 102. The rise in 1911 was the result of clearances of
insanitary property, chiefly in St. John's Ward, which led to many of the
displaced persons crowding into adjoining parts of the city.
Table III.—Families and Dwellings.
Definitions.
Private Family.—Any person or group of persons included in a separate
return as being in separate occupation of any premises or part of premises
is treated as a separate family for Census purposes, lodgers being so treated
only when returned as boarding separately and not otherwise. Private
families comprise all such families with the exception of those enumerated
in (i) institutions, or (ii) business establishments or boarding.houses in
which the number of resident trade assistants or resident boarders exceeds
the number of members of the employer's or householder's family (including
private domestic servants).
Structurally Separate Dwellings.—A structurally separate dwelling
has been defined for the Census as any room or set of rooms, intended or
used for habitation, haviDg separate access either to the street or to a
common landing or staircase. Thus each flat in a block of flats is a
separate unit; a private house which has not been structurally subdivided
is similarly a single unit whether occupied by one family or by several
families. But where a private house has been subdivided into maisonettes
or portions, each having its front door opening on to the street or on to
a common landing or staircase to which visitors have access, then each
such portion is treated as a separate unit.
Where an undivided private house is used partly for business or professional
purposes, it is treated as occupied by a private family unless the
portion used for non.domestic purposes consists of at least 3 rooms and
is more than one quarter of the whole. The dwellings shown in this
table are those occupied by private families only.
Rooms.—For the purpose of the Census the rooms enumerated are the
usual living rooms, including bedrooms and kitchens, but excluding
sculleries, landings, lobbies, closets, bathrooms, or any warehouse, office,
or shop room3.