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2
SECTION A .
STATISTICS MP SOCIAL CONDITIONS
1, General Staxisties.
Area in Acres 1,390
Total Population (including Service
personnel) 39,920
Number of inhabited houses (approx.) ll,509
Rateable Value - General Rate £558?217
Siraa represented by Penny Rate £ 2,279
2. Social Conditions.
Mr, P,R. Smith, the Manager of the local Employment
Exchange has kindly provided the following information
regarding employment in Kingston and the surrounding
districts.
"Unemployment during 1951 was lower, over the whole
year, than at any time since 1946. At its highest in
late January, when 834 persons - approximately 1% of the
estimated insured population - were registered, it fell
to its lowest level of 353 in July, rising again to 640
just before Christmas.
"The little long term unemployment which existed was
almost entirely limited to elderly unfit work people; some
70 registered disabled persons were registered as unemployed
at all times during the year.
"There was no change in the industries in the area
except that the aircraft industry and many engineering firms
became heavily committed to the rearmament programme and there
was a constant demand for skilled engineers which it was not
possible to meet. Skilled building trade operatives were
also in great demand for the greater part of the year; there
was seasonal slackness in the decorating side of the building
trade during the winter months.
"The demand for women for factories showed a marked
falling off towards the end of the year. Vacancies filled
during the year by the Kingston Employment Exchange in the
area Kingston, Maiden, Surbiton, Teddington, The Hamptons
totalled 5,591 men and 2,735 women."
Housing accommodation has been greatly enhanced by
the building of several blocks of flats, both within the
Borough and nearby.