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
Willesden 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Underground Sleeping Rooms.—There are 723 houses with basements and approximately
400 rooms are used as sleeping apartments. The Regulations of the Council governing this class
of property were amended to conform to Section 18, Housing Act, 1925.
Disposal of the Dead.—The Council at present own a cemetery within the district and it is
estimated that a further 9,180 grave spaces could be laid out before that cemetery is full; the average
number of burials therein annually for the past ten years has been approximately 1,350. The Council
realising that the accommodation of their present cemetery will within a few years be exhausted
purchased a site in 1929 in the Kingsbury Urban District practically abutting on the north-western
boundary of the district.
There are two Jewish cemeteries situate in the district, one in Beaconsfield Road and another
in Pound Lane, and it is estimated there are sufficient grave spaces to last approximately 30 and 65
years respectively before these cemeteries are full.
Schools.—The whole of the schools in Willesden have a good and sufficient water supply
and sanitary accommodation.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911-28.—There are no premises in the district on which rag flock is manufactured,
and no sampling under these Acts has been carried out during the year.
HOUSING.
Number of inhabited houses* in Willesden (end of 1931) according to the Rate Book,
36,940.
* Flat separately assessed counted as one house.
Number of houses in Willesden (end of 1931), 30,377 (approx.).
* Flats contained under one roof are counted as one house.
The following table shews building activities during the periods stated
Table No.11
| Year. | For working classes. | Not for working classes. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses erected by the Council. | Houses erected by private enterprise. | Houses erected by private enterprise. | ||
| 1921-25 | 261 | 65 | 909 | 1,235 |
| 1926-30 | 737 | 1,622 | 2,734 | 5,093 |
| 1931 | 8 | 591 | 50 | 649 |
| Total for 11 years | 1,006 | 2,278 | 3,693 | 6,977 |
Activity in the erection of smaller houses in the Northern part of the district continues.
HOUSING STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1931.
Number of New Houses erected during the Year:—
(a) Total (including numbers given separately under (b)):
(i.) By the Local Authority 8
(ii.) By other Local Authorities Nil
(iii.) By other bodies and persons 630
(b) With State assistance under the Housing Acts:—
(i.) By the Local Authority.
(a) For the purpose of Part II. of the Act of 1925 Nil
(b) For the purpose of Part III. of the Act of 1925 Nil
(c) For other purposes Nil
(ii.) By other bodies or persons 11
1.—Inspection of Dwelling-houses during the Year:—
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under
Public Health or Housing Acts) 3,222
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 15,813
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1) above) which
were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations,
1925 876
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 5,256