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58
GENERAL.
A general description of the growth of the Borough, of the occupations of the residents
and the number of dwellings and families in the Borough, and an analysis of the 1931 Census
in its bearing on housing, was given in last year's Report.
OVERCROWDING.
The information revealed by the preliminary overcrowding survey was fully described
in last year's Report. The detailed measurement of over 20,000 working class houses is now in
progress and sufficient information has been accumulated to throw some rather depressing light
on the standards of overcrowding laid down by the Act. These standards are as follows:—

The maximum permitted number of persons per house is that determined by applying
these two tables. Thus, for example, a three roomed house in which each of the rooms were
between 70 and 90 sq. ft., would accommodate three persons only; a similar house in which all
the rooms exceeded 110 sq. ft., would accommodate five presons, not six, subject to the modification
determined by the age of the persons.
The Act provides that in measuring a house for the purpose of estimating the "permitted
number" the area of the living room shall be taken into account. In cottage property inhabited
by one family and where a scullery in addition to a living room is available, this inclusion,
though regrettable, may not have very serious consequences. In London, where the majority of
working class houses are now occupied by two on more families, the inclusion of the living room