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105
Overcrowding.
Only in two instances was overcrowding noted during the year, and
in neither were conditions serious.
(5) Knightsbridge.—The predominant types of buildings here are
large high-class residences and mansion flats with, in many cases, mews
at the rear in which are the garages and stables ; these have rooms above
for chauffeurs and stablemen and their families.
Several Embassies are in this district, and also the Royal Albert Hall,
Imperial Institute, the Indian Section of the Victoria and Albert Museum,
Royal College of Music, Royal Geographical Society, Imperial College of
Science and Technology (Royal School of Mines), City and Guilds of London
Institution, School of Needlework, Hyde Park Barracks, and St. George's
Hospital. Other premises include clubs, hotels, restaurants, large public
garages, large and small shops and some offices.
Working-class dwellings.
The working-class population in the Knightsbridge area is relatively
small and is tending gradually to decrease. As houses occupied by
working-class people become vacant they are either demolished or reconditioned
and improved and sold or let as better-class residences or for
business purposes. But for the protection afforded by the Rent (Restriction)
Acts, many more would, ere this, have disappeared.
There are no blocks of industrial dwellings. Some 147 houses are
let in tenements, 69 being also business premises ; these are let at an
average rent of 4s. 6d. a room.
Small houses of the cottage type and dwellings above garages and
stables together number 542; these are also let at an average rent of
4s. 6d. a room.
The tenement houses and those of the cottage type are old properties,
lacking modern conveniences and will, in course of time, give way to
improvements.
Overcrowding.
Ten cases of overcrowding have been dealt with ; 5 only were serious,
and in each case arrangements were made for better accommodation.
There are 48 restaurants and cafes in this district.
(6) Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace Road area.—This
district includes a widely differing class of property, from Government
buildings in the east to small working-class houses in the west adjoining
the Borough of Chelsea. It contains Buckingham Palace, Ministerial
Departments adjoining St. James's Park, Whitehall and Parliament Street,
Wellington and Chelsea Barracks, the Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster
Hospital, &c.
(7070) H 2