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
Stepney 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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In St. George's Was observed the greatest proportional decrease in the number
of separate families, 10,311 in 1891 to 10,000 in 1901. The percentage of foreigners
rose from 16.2 to 28.8. This is one element in the question of overcrowding which
has been effected by the alien immigration. The birth-rate is higher among the
foreigners, and their families are larger than the families of the native population.
The death-rate is also lower, especially among infants.
In the Borough the percentage of the foreign-born population has increased
from 11.3 in 1891 to 18-2 in 1901; this increase has affected all the districts, but
most markedly St. George's, which is evident in the following table:—
TABLE E.—N umber of foreign inhabitants 1891 and 1901.
| Males. | Females. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 18,033 | 14,251 |
| 1901 | 29,363 | 24,947 |
TABLE F.—P ercentage of foreign born inhabitants to total population
| 1891 and 1901. | 1891. | 1901. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limehouse | ... | 2.1 | 3.7 |
| St. George's | ... | 16.2 | 28.8 |
| Mile End Old Town | ... | 5.3 | 11.5 |
| Whitechapel | ... | 24.1 | 31.8 |
| Whole Borough | ... | 11.3 | 18.2 |
The question is naturally asked as to what extent has this alien immigration
affected overcrowding. There is no district within the Borough where overcrowding
does not exist to some extent. It exists in areas inhabited almost entirely by the native
population. It is true that the evil is accentuated in the districts inhabited largely by
the foreign population.
The fact that the number of inhabited houses has diminished, and that there is an
increase in the population tends to cause overcrowding. Poverty and high rents are
also important factors in the causation of overcrowding. The tenants can afford to
pay and. do pay a higher rent for a room if it is overcrowded. On the other hand,
it is true that the tenants would be able to rent a larger number of rooms if the
landlord did not demand such a high rent. The high rents cause overcrowding, and
the overcrowding cause the high rents. They act and re-act.
During the year, 664 intimations were served to abate the nuisance caused by
overcrowding. In 296 instances the nuisance was abated without serving a statutory
notice. A certain time—at least seven days—must elapse before the second notice
can be served, as it must be authorized by the Public Health Committee. As the
Committee meet every other week, a fortnight may elapse before a statutory notice
can be served. This notice demands the abatement of the nuisance within seven
days. Unless abated within that period, proceedings are taken at the Police Court.