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VII
Annual Report on the Health and Sanitary
Condition of the City of Westminster.
19 3 2.
Me. Mayor, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for the year 1932.
The report is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Circular
1269 issued to all local authorities by the Minister of Health. On this
occasion under certain headings the Minister requires information only
where alterations or developments have taken place. It has thus been
possible to deal with a number of subjects quite briefly and so pay regard
to the Minister's suggestion in his " economy report " that annual reports
might be somewhat shorter.
The birth-rate is the lowest yet recorded in Westminster and again
indicates the high proportion in the population of unmarried persons and
those in groups beyond a fertile age. The death-rate is lower than last
year chiefly because of a milder spring ; the infantile mortality rate is
considerably lower and the death rate from tuberculosis is the lowest for
some years. The number of cases notified, both pulmonary and nonpulmonary,
however, is somewhat higher.
A commentary on certain features arising out of the 1931 census will
be found under vital statistics, and also under housing.
The incidence of diphtheria was notably less last year. A special
report is submitted on the work of the Diphtheria immunisation clinic.
Housing is not dealt with in the detailed manner of the 1930 report
but the progress of the Council's housing schemes is indicated and the
improvement in overcrowding and occupation of underground rooms
which has been taking place for some years past is noted. Appropriate
extracts from the 1931 census are quoted which confirm these statements.
Next year I hope to be in a position to report on the action taken
by the Council on the Minister's Circular No. 1331 re slum clearance
programmes.