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2. Social Conditions.
Kingston-upon-Thames is a Royal and Ancient Borough situated
upon the south bank of the River Thames, within the County of Surrey
and the Greater London Area.
Although it is renowned as a prosperous market town and for
its extensive shopping centre, which provides the main economic
function, there is also important industrial activity in Aircraft and
Engineering. Kingston is not only a centre for education and recreation,
but is a "commuting" area for business people travelling daily
to and from London.
The social conditions are influenced by the trend of the high
level of employment which exists in the town and the Manager of the
local Employment Exchange, Mr, G.A. Gout, has kindly provided the
following information regarding employment in Kingston and District:-
"1963 began with heavier than usual unemployment in the
Kingston Employment Exchange area although it represented but 1% of
the working population in that area, and at no time during the year
did it approach the national average.
At the beginning of the year the minor recession in trade,
mentioned in my last year's report, continued. This was reflected in.
the fewer outstanding vacancies in the early part of the year- the
lowest recorded for many years- and in a worsening of opportunities
for placing people in employment.