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41
At the end of the year the Council had under consideration the
question of instituting proceedings in the High Court against the
owner of the offending premises, and it is hoped that as a result
of this action by the Council conditions may be ameliorated in the
near future.
THE ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
Further consideration was given to the organisation of a disinfestation
scheme for the Borough to include the use of hydrogen
cyanide for the fumigation of furniture.
The scheme provides for the purchase of a 2-ton Commercial
van with a capacity of 950 cubic feet. The van will be fitted with
tubular electrical heating apparatus and blower fan at an approximate
cost of £400. It is anticipated that the van will be capable
of taking the furniture of 2 dwellings.
Arrangements will be made for the disinfestation and removal
of furniture from families granted new housing accommodation
by the Council, and also to tenants given alternative accommodation
by the London County Council. In addition cases where requests
are received for disinfestation of private premises will be carried
out with an appropriate charge being made.
It is intended that the existing disinfecting staff with one
additional disinfector will be able to cope with the work under
the supervision of one of the Sanitary Inspectors.
In accordance with the Ministry's Circular the following
table is given:—
(1) The number of—
(а) Council houses found to be infested 11
„ ,, disinfested 11
(b) Other „ found to be infested 206
No. of rooms disinfested 433
(2) The methods employed for freeing infested houses from
bed bugs:—In the case of Council houses, the Council's
Estate Department staff employ the use of a blow lamp
and loosen all skirtings, picture rails, etc. One hundred
and twenty gallons of vermicine, which is a liquid contact
spray, and 16 lbs. of sulphur were utilised during the year.