View report page

STATISTICAL, INCLUDING REMARKS ON THE NATURAL
AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
A summary of particulars required by the Ministry of Health is
set forth on the preceding page and further reference to certain points
mentioned will be found in other parts of the report.
The estimated population of the City of Westminster for the year 1926
is given by the Registrar-General as 141,800 (the population as enumerated
at the 1921 Census was 141,578). The civilian population, which excludes
those belonging to the military forces in barracks and hospitals, numbered
138,400, and for the purpose of calculating the death-rate this number is
taken. Both gross and net totals show a decrease on the corresponding
figures for 1925, which were 142,600 and 139,600 respectively.
In spite of increased unemployment which followed the general strike,
and which continued during the coal stoppage, it does not appear that
distress has been severely felt in the City. The Guardians have kindly
supplied the figures relating to outdoor relief and they show that the
total expended during 1926 amounted to £8,222 3s. 8d., compared with
£9,849 16s. in 1925.
There is no doubt that a good deal of individual hardship was experienced
during those anxious days in May. The weather was then somewhat
severe for the time of year, but there is no evidence to show that an
abnormal amount of fatal illness resulted from the 'rigorous conditions
which were imposed upon the community.
Under the emergency regulations the Food Inspectors made daily
reports as to the current prices of food in the retail shops and as to stocks
in hand. The emergency organisation of the Government for the distribution
of food to shops proved so efficient that no scarcity was complained
of, nor did prices rise unduly.
The Medical Officer of Health and Sanitary Inspectors were also
engaged in supervising the sanitary accommodation at the various barracks
and drill halls where the reserve of special constables were billeted.
Arrangements for some 8,000 men had to be improvised in the drill halls
of the London Scottish, Buckingham Gate; City of London Regt., Tufton
Street,; Westminster Dragoons, Elverton Street; and the Queen
Victoria's Rifles, Davies Street; and the old hospital of the Grenadier
Guards in Rochester Row.