2 JULY 1927, Page 20

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—I read with deep

interest your article on the " Housing' in Westminster." But may I call your attention to one fact not generally known ? Westminster is the richest harvest for beggars in all London. They come from Ireland, Scotland, S. Wales, &c., and insist on settling in Westminster. Better rooms are offered them in other parts of London. They utterly refuse to leave the very worst of slums because Westminster is so lucrative for them !

Under these circumstances it is almost impossible to improve conditions. What is needed is severe laws against begging —till those are enacted the housing problem in Westminster will always remain an acute one.—I am, Sir, &c.,