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Health Education, a body set up under the auspices of the Ministry of
Health. The members of this body consist of representatives of local
authorities and insurance committees throughout the county, together
with a number of Medical Officers of Health and officials of the Ministry
of Health. The subject matter of this magazine consists of instructive
articles on health matters written by experts, the purpose being, in these
times when the press is flooded with all sorts of health articles, good, bad
and indifferent, to supply those who desire instruction in health with
sound and accurate information. It is proposed to enter into an agreement
for the supply of 2,000 copies monthly of " Better Health." These
will be distributed to the public through the usual channels. The
publication will not involve any cost to the Council.
STATISTICAL, INCLUDING REMARKS ON THE NATURAL
AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
A summary of particulars required by the Ministry of Health is
set forth on a preceding page and further reference to certain points
mentioned will be found in other parts of the report.
Population.
The estimated population of the City of Westminster for the year 1928
is given by the Registrar-General as 132,700 (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
129,700, and for the purpose of calculating the death-rate this number is
taken. Both gross and net totals show a large decrease on the
corresponding figures for 1927, which were 139,300 and 136,500
respectively.
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 1926 the amount expended
in outdoor relief was £8,222 3s. 8d., in 1927 £6,360 13s. 3d., and in 1928
£5,666 1s. 11di.
Births.
The births registered in Westminster during 1928 numbered 1,471,
but of these the homes of 620 were in other districts and 23 were
registered under the Legitimacy Act, and have therefore to be deducted
from the total. There were, however, 542 children belonging to
Westminster parents born in institutions outside the City, and these
must be added. This gives a net total of 1,370, which is 29 less than the
similar figure for 1927.