London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Romford 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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8
The population of Romford consists of persons who are occupied
in business or professional duties either in the town itself or in London.
A certain number is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Regarding particulars of the extent of unemployment in the
district, I have again to thank the Manager of the Local Employment
Exchange for supplying me with the necessary information. As before
these figures relate not only to Romford, but also to adjacent
areas supervised by the Romford Branch of the Exchange.
Table 1.
| Men | Women | Boys | Girls | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totally Unemployed, 1936 | 686 | 269 | 42 | 57 | 1,054 |
| Short Time Workers, 1936 | 42 | 20 | — | — | 62 |
| Totals | 728 | 289 | 42 | 57 | 1,116 |
| Men | Women | Boys | Girls | Total | |
| Totally Unemployed, 1937 | 1,601 | 330 | 72 | 49 | 2,052 |
| Short Time Workers, 1937 | 103 | 36 | — | 1 | 140 |
| Totals | 1,704 | 366 | 72 | 50 | 2,192 |
These are the Live Register figures as on December 31st.
It is unfortunate that this year I have to report an increase of
unemployment amongst Men, Women, and Boys. With Girls, however,
there is a slight decrease. It is to be hoped that the cause is of
a seasonal character only, although hardships are more difficult to
bear at the time of the year to which these figures relate. With a rise
in unemployment, a greater strain is thrown on the social services
of the Council, but, thanks to the services that do exist, I have no
evidence, statistical or otherwise, that there has been any significant
influence on the health or physique of children or adults.