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
Brentford and Chiswick 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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The unemployment figures for adult persons i.e. aged 18 and over in the
Borough at the end of 1959, reflected the national general increase in the number
of jobs available due to greater industrial activity. On the 12th December,
I960, there were 181 unemployed altogether, of which 147 were men and 34 women.
This compares with 180 men and 55 women unemployed at the end of 1959, and 223
men and 58 women unemployed at the end of 1958.
On 7th December, 1960, the number of jobs vacant totalled 423, (347 at the
same date in 1959) of which 174 were for men and 249 for women, i.e. there were
more than twice the number of vacancies than there were unemployed persons
seeking vacancies.
The unemployment figures at the end of 1960 of young persons under 18 years of age were as follows:-
| Boys | Girls | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of young persons (other than school leavers) registered as unemployed on 31.12.60. | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Boys and Girls who left school at Christmas to enter employment | 56 | 51 | 107 |
| Totals | 60 | 53 | 113 |
| Vacancies outstanding at 31.12.60. | 109 | 159 | 268 |
During the year competition from boys for indentured apprenticeships in
the engineering, printing and woodworking trades continued to be keen and there
were insufficient vacancies to meet the demand, although the boys living in
this area did fairly well in gaining apprenticeship training in engineering in
the London area generally. Articled clerkships (no premium payable) were available
for most boys who were interested in the professions, and a number of
openings to train in accountancy remained unfilled. So far as girls were concerned,
they were bewildered by the large choice of openings.
In spite of the number of boys and girls who left school during the period
under review the requirements of local employers for young workers could not be
met in full.
A record was created on the 11th April, 1960 when no young persons were
registered at the two bureaux as unemployed
Parks and Open Spaces controlled by the Council
Area in Acres
Boston Manor Park and Island 40.7
Carville Hall Park South 5.8
Carville Hall Park North 10.3
St. Paul' s Recreation Ground 4 3
The Ham Recreation Ground 1.3
Chiswick Common South 8.7
Chiswick House 65.9
Stamford Brook Common 2.5
Home fields Recreation Ground 8.7
Strand Open Space 2.5
Turnham Green Common 7.5
Duke's Meadow Sports Ground 25.7
Embankment Promenade 12.5
Future Embankment Promenade 15.3
Chiswick Open Air Pools Site 1.2
10.4 acres of the above open space land is used as allotments.
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