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11
Another reason may be aduced. It is well known that in
Acton as well as in other western districts of Middlesex, the chief
lines of communication—railways and arterial roads—run east and
west: transport and especially passenger transport facilities are
better and easier east and west then north and south. As these factories
are situated in the northern part of the district, it is easier for
the employees to reach their work from other districts than it would
be from the south of Acton.
Although this represents the case in a general way, many, of
course, would prefer to live in the district, so as to be near their work,
but there is nothing like sufficient housing accommodation in the
district for all the employees in the area. Limited housing accommodation
in the district renders the housing problem a difficult one
to solve. The supply will always be less than the demand, and the
competition tends to force up the rents.
There will always be a sufficient number of people in these factories
who are willing to pay a few shillings weekly more for accommodation
near their work rather than expend it on bus or rail fares,
to ensure that the demand will exceed the supply of houses of a
character within reach of the class of worker employed at the local
factories. The wages of the unskilled worker at these factories average
about 50/- weekly. (The skilled workers, of course, earn more).
A decontrolled flat, consisting of a kitchen, living-room and two
bedrooms, fetches from 15/- to 20/- a week—far too high a proportion
of the wages for rent. In a district like ours, one of the unavoidable
disadvantages of the presence of these factories is the artificial
raising of rents for certain classes of workers, while the wages do not
rise in a corresponding manner. In spite of the Speenhamland example
and its vicious results, we are frequently compelled to supply
milk and food to mothers and children though the husband is in
full employment.
On the other hand the introduction of the numerous and
diverse industries into the district has been the means of providing
work not only to the residents of Acton, but also to many who live
in neighbouring districts. Even in the period of acute depression
a few years ago unemployment did not loom very large. On December
31st, 1936, the total numbers of persons (aged 18 to 65), resident
in Acton and registered as wholly unemployed were as follows—
Men. Women. Total.
799 182 891
The total amount of out relief in cash and in kind disbursed
by the two Relieving Officers in the Acton area for the year 1936 was
£17,968 11s. 10d.