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* Estimated from the frequency distribution of Table IV—4 of the One Per Cent. Sample Tables.
The considerable reduction in the overall average density is not matched by an
equivalent reduction of the average density ratio for all sizes of family. It is in the
main the reflection of a transfer of population from families of the larger size housed
at the higher density rates, to smaller sized families housed at the lower densities.
So far as the reduction in the overall average density is due to a transfer of population
from the larger to the smaller families the reduction only partially reflects a real
improvement in housing conditions. Nevertheless, the near correspondence of the
improvement in the density ratio of the over 5 in family with the overall average
indicates that the improvement has been greatest where the need was greatest.
The overall density figures for London boroughs and for the groups of boroughs
comprising the nine health divisions of the County are shown in the last two columns
of Table 32. The improvement has been greatest in the eastern and central boroughs
of London, closely followed by the boroughs of Bermondsey and Southwark south of
the river.
The proportion of families sharing accommodation is important from a health
view, as the more people share household arrangements the greater is the risk of spread
of disease. From the figures quoted above, about 50 per cent. of people are shown to be
living in shared accommodation. For the first time the 1951 census gives some details
of all household arrangements. It is noteworthy that in the Metropolis 28 per cent.
of all households are without exclusive use of piped water (0.7 per cent. entirely
without), 8 per cent. are without exclusive use of a cooking stove (3 per cent. entirely
without), 16 per cent. are without exclusive use of a kitchen sink (6 per cent. entirely
without), 35 per cent. are without exclusive use of a water closet (0.1 per cent.
entirely without) and 62 per cent. are without exclusive use of a bath (44 per cent.
entirely without). These proportions in modified form are shown in the detail of
boroughs and health divisions of the County in Table 32. The proportions are somewhat
higher for people living in shared accommodation. In respect of non-provision
of these services, commonly accepted as essential, or having to share these facilities,
with the consequent increased risk to health, London is not alone. Other large centres
of population in the Country show somewhat lower proportions for all dwellings, with
very much higher proportions for shared dwellings, but the total number of such
dwellings in what the Registrar-General terms " Conurbations " in England, excluding
London, is less than half that for the County of London. The problem of families
having to share domestic arrangements may be more acute outside London but it is
not so extensive.