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43
1919
Although the Filling Factories in Willesden Lane were
situated in Acton, the workers were recruited mainly from the
Willesden Labour Exchange, and the Acton Labour Exchange
supplied workers for the Hayes Munition Works. A large number
of Acton residents though, did work in the Filling & Small Arms
Inspection Factories. As a result of the Armistice a large reduction
occurred in the number of persons employed in factories.
During the war, over 20,000 persons were employed in the
engineering works, &c., in the district on munitions. The immediate
result of the Armistice was a reduction in the number employed
in thse factories from 20,000 in 19x8 to a little over
10,000 in 1919.
Owing to the excellent transport facilities new industries
are coming into the district and there are prospects of a great
development especially in the Motor industry. Since the end of
the war, large factories have been built or are in course of erection—
existing ones are being enlarged and the erection of others is under
consideration.
Temporary offices are being erected by the Ministry of
Pensions and permanent ones are to be built.
Extent of shortage or excess of houses.
In connection with the rest of the kingdom there has been
during the past 10 or 15 years a diminishing number of new houses
erected annually. Since the commencement of the war practically
no new dwelling houses have been erected and until the
autumn of 1919, the erection of new dwellings had not commenced.
For many years before the commencement of the war a slackening
in the building of new houses had occurred.
At the Census of 1901, there were 6,086 buildings here
used as dwellings; in 1911, the number was 9,445, or an average
yearly increase of 336. The increase in the intercensal period
was not a uniform one. The great increase occurred between
1901 and 1905, and the average number erected between these
years was more than twice as much as that between 1905 and 1911.
Between March 31st, 1911 and June 30th, 1914, 442 dwellings
were erected ; 144 between March 31st, 1911 and June 30th,