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iv
The housing problem is slowly solving itself; many residents in
Westminster, whose work is in the suburbs, have moved nearer their
work as houses have been built, thus relieving the congestion in the
inner districts.
Westminster is becoming every year more and more of a business
centre and less a residential one. The Council, in its early days, recognised
this tendency and adopted a policy to provide houses for persons whose
work necessitated living in proximity thereto, and although it has not
itself built any dwellings recently, yet it has assisted in the provision of
houses in other parts of London more suitable for residence. At present
the contribution of the City of Westminster towards the cost of Housing
Schemes in London amounts to £32,000 per annum. This fact appears
to be overlooked by those who allege Westminster is not doing anything
to help.
The work of the Public Health Department in its various branches
has been steadily carried on. As regards repairs and remedying of
nuisances, it has been easier during the past year to get work done,
doubtless due to reduction in cost. The supervision of the food of the
people, and of places where it is sold, has always been regarded by the
Council as of great importance; details relating thereto will be found
in the Report. It is interesting to note improvement in the quality of
milk so far as its chemical ingredients are concerned. Orders come in
force in the coming year to promote the sale of milk with a higher standard
of bacteriological purity, which means, therefore, a cleaner milk.
A Departmental Committee has reported on the pollution of the
atmosphere due to the emission of smoke, and has recommended that
increased powers should be given to local authorities and that higher
penalties should be inflicted. It is suggested that the dealing with
smoke nuisances should be controlled by County Councils, which will
doubtless be opposed so far as London is concerned. Recommendations
are also made for the greater use of gas, electricity and smokeless fuel,
especially for domestic and office purposes, and in large buildings the