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taken to the Council's disinfecting station and treated with H.C.N.
before being moved into the new accommodation.
In addition to the above cases, the furniture of three
other families, selected to move into vacated Council flats (or conversions)
was found to be infested and was treated with H.C.N. at the disinfecting
station.
Prevention of Damage by Pests
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, imposes a
duty on occupiers of premises to notify the Council of rodent infestation,
and the Council are required to ensure that the borough is, as far as
practicable, kept free from rats and mice. The Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food pay a grant of 50% of the approved net expenditure
incurred. The Council deal with rat and mice infestation in dwelling
houses without cost to the occupiers, but expenditure incurred in treating
infestations on commercial and industrial premises is recovered from the
owners.
The Council are required to submit reports on (i) the extent
of infestation, (ii) special circumstances to which any undue presence
of rats and mice might be attributed and (iii) the nature and extent of
co-operative working with contiguous local authorities.
The Minister has requested a report for the year ended 31st
March, 1959, and the following table gives the details for this period:-