The united parishes of Chelsea and Kensington, according to the census in 1851, contained a population of upwards of 100,000 persons; and they are now rated under Schedule A to the income and property tax, at £693,860.
Of the total number of cities and boroughs in the United Kingdom, returning members to parliament, fifteen only are rated higher to the income and property tax than Chelsea and Kensington, while 240 are rated at a less amount.
There is no un-enfranchised town in the United Kingdom containing half the population, or assessed at half the amount of property under Schedule A; and it is therefore respectfully contended that the inhabitants of Chelsea and Kensington have a paramount claim to any new borough representation that may be created by the legislature.
| CHELSEA. | KENSINGTON. | TOTAL. |
| |
Miles of Streets [116a] | 21 | 35 | 56 |
| |
Houses Rated | 8,252 | 8,700 | 16,952 |
| |
Estimated Rental [116b] | £338,239 | 319,586 | £657,825 |
| |
County Assessment. [116c] | £234,248 | £319,924 | £554,172 |
| |
Property and Income Tax:— |
|
| |||
| Schedule A [116d] | £269,876 | £423,984 | £693,860 |
|
| Schedule B | £720 | £2,781 | 3,501 |
|
| Schedule D | £141,887 | £200,526 | 342,413 |
|
|
| £1,039,774 | |||
Population—Census 1851 | 56,538 | 44,053 | 100,591 |
| |
Annual Increase at 4 per cent. [116e] | 75,000 | 59,500 | 134,500 |
| |
Persons Rated at £10 and under £50[116f] | 5,342 | 3,793 | 9,135 |
| |
| £50 and upwards | 700 | 2,176 | 2,876 |
|
| £10 and upwards | 6,042 | 5,969 | 12,011 |
|
County Electors | 679 | 955 | 1,634 |
| |
Representation of Scotland compared with that of the Metropolis.
| Population, 1851. | Property Rated under Schedule A. | Members. | |
| Scotland | 2,862,000 | £4,636,755 | 53 |
| Metropolis | 2,869,000 | £18,625,296 | 16 |
To the Honorable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.
The Petition of the Vestry of the Parish of Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Sheweth,
That your Petitioners having had under consideration a Bill about to be introduced into your honorable House by Viscount Enfield, to transfer the two seats formerly possessed by the Borough of St. Albans, in the County of Hertford, to the Parishes of St. Luke, Chelsea, and St. Mary, Abbott’s Kennington, respectfully represent—