View report page

22
Customs and Inland Revenue Acts.—Six applications were
received under the Customs and Inland Revenue Acts for
exemption or abatement of inhabited house duty.
One application was withdrawn, one refused and the
remaining four were held over subject to certain works being
carried out.
The Finance Act of 1924 repealed inhabited house duty
in respect of any year subsequent to 1923-24.
As a result all applications for Certificates under the
Customs and Inland Revenue Acts lapsed.
House to House.—As a result of the house to house visitation
958 inspections were made, 258 notices served, and 356
complied with.
It is important that this work should be systematically
carried out.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—During the year no new houses
were registered.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.—During the year
the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, continued in
operation, the District Inspectors being responsible for its
administration in their respective districts.
Section I places the responsibility of ridding the premises
of the pest upon the occupier, but this is somewhat difficult
when dealing with tenement houses containing in some cases
three or more families.
During the year many complaints were received with
regard to rat infestation of premises. In each case an
inspection was made and advice and instructions given. A
supply of poison was given where necessary and in most cases
satisfactory result have been obtained.
Old buildings often provide ideal accommodation for rats;
hollow partitions, space between floors and ceilings and under
basement flooring being used for nesting. It is a difficult
matter to rid such premises of rats.
Generally speaking some improvement has been made, but
it appears to me that no great advance will result until
systematic attack is made upon the rodents in their chief
breeding grounds, the sewers. Throughout the Borough, and
I have no doubt throughout the whole of London, there exist
old brick sewers swarming with rats, from which they emerge
at night and enter dwellings and other premises.