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2
It will be noted that the decrease in the civilian population was 1,900,
while that in the military, which includes soldiers living in barracks or
in dwellings under the control of the War Office, numbered 2,500.
The former figure is largely accounted for by the movement of families
from overcrowded conditions in the City to houses on the L.C.C. suburban
estates, details of which are given in the Housing Section of the report.
The latter figure was no doubt influenced by the movements of troops
both at home and overseas.
The Guardians have again been good enough to supply figures dealing
with outdoor relief, and from them it would appear that unemployment
is, fortunately, still decreasing in the City. In 1925 the amount expended
in outdoor relief was £9,849 16s., in 1926 £8,222 3s. 8d., and in 1927
£6,360 13s. 3d.
Births.
The births registered in Westminster during 1927 numbered 1,375,
but of these the homes of 532 were in other districts and 20 were
registered under the Legitimacy Act, and have therefore to be deducted
from the total. There were, however, 576 children belonging to
Westminster parents born in institutions outside the City, and these
must be added. This gives a net total of 1,399, which is 207 less than the
similar figure for 1926.
The birth-rate throughout the country generally and in the County of
London shows a continued decline, the figures being 16.7 and 16.1 per
1,000 respectively.
From the considerable reduction which has taken place in the total
population it naturally follows that births will also be fewer. The outward
movement of the military, among whom are a large number of young
married couples, has had an appreciable effect in lowering the birth-rate.
Throughout the whole country the birth-rate continues to decline, and
has now fallen below the lowest recorded rate, which was in 1918, the last
year of the war, when so many of the male population were overseas.
The following figures show that London has not shared to the same extent
in the decline below the 1918 figure:—
Birth-rate.
England and Wales.
London.
1918 17.7
1927 17.8
1928 16.7
15.8
17.1
16.1