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6
The birth-rate for England & Wales wasl8.8, for London 18.7,
and for the 105 County Boroughs and large towns including London
19.4.
Throughout the Country the birth-rate is still showing a
continuous decline, and Acton shows no exception to the general rule
throughout the kingdom.
Last year, with the exception of 18, particulars were obtained
of the births belonging to Acton, whether registration had occurred
inside or outside the district. It is therefore possible to give a
fairly accurate birth-rate for each of the Wards.
The Ward birth-rates were as follows:
North-East. North-West. South-East. South-West
19.1 11.7 15.3 24.2
34 children were born out of wedlock; this number corresponds
to an illegitimate birth-rate of 29 per 1000 births, compared
with 36 in 1923. Not since 1910 has a lower illegitimate birth-rate
been recorded for the district.
One of the most marked features of Table VII has been the
increased percentage of births which were notified.
Only 19 births were registered which had not been previously
notified, compared with 57 in 1923, 109 in 1922, and 66 in 1921.
In the Autumn of 1923, the numerous infringements of the
Notification of Births Act were discussed by the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee and different ways and means were suggested
whereby an improvement could be effected. Doctors and Midwives
were circularised, and an advertisement issued in the press. The
result has been gratifying and the percentage of non-notified births
in 1924, has been the lowest since the Act came into force.
Deaths.—488 deaths were registered in the district; of these
11 deaths were of non-residents; 235 deaths of residents occurred
outside the district.
The total number of deaths belonging to the district is 715.
The nett number of deaths corresponds to a death-rate of
11.2 per 1000 inhabitants, compared with 9.5 in 1923, and 10.1
in 1922.
Although the figures appear unfavourable, there are factors
which modify their character. A higher death-rate was common
throughout the kingdom. Last year the death-rate of the whole of
England and Wales was 12.2, of the 105 Great Towns, 12.3 and of
London 12.1 per 1000 inhabitants.
The greatest increase in the number of deaths occurred in
old people. There were 286 deaths among persons over 65 years of
age, compared with 223 in 1923, and in the age-periods 45—65
years of age, 180 deaths compared with 130 in 1923. There were
slight increases in the age-periods 1-25 years, and a slight decrease