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LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) ACT, 1927, SEC. 52.
Nuisance Caused, by Pigeons.—The number of complaints received arising from the above cause
was six. On investigation no action on the part of the Council appeared to be necessary. It is
estimated that there are some 2,000 pigeons at large in the Borough.
RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
Complaints concerning 74 premises were received.
In a number of cases the Borough Engineer and Surveyor was asked to cause examinations to be
made of the sewer connections of the infested house and the two premises immediately adjacent. In
several instances this procedure resulted in the discovery of defects which received the requisite attention
of either the owner or, where only a minor trouble, the Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
One notice was served under the Act in respect of rat-infested premises.
Rat Week.—This was held from 4th to 9th November inclusive. The usual circular letter was
sent out to principal wharfingers, railway companies, tradesmen, etc.
VERMINOUS CONDITIONS.
Cleansing of Verminous Persons.—Forty-three (43) cases were referred by the department to
the Kensington Medicinal Baths for treatment under the scheme arranged with the Kensington
Borough Council.
Cleansing of Verminous Rooms.—Notices under Section 10 of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1922, were served with respect to 312 premises, the verminous room6
numbering 546.
The owners of 91 premises accepted the Council's offer with regard to the spraying of infested
rooms with a special insecticidal solution, 156 rooms being so treated at a charge to the owners of
7s. 6d. per room.
Verminous Household Goods.—-Arrangements were made during the year with the Council of
the Royal Borough of Kensington for the disinfestation at their Station of verminous furniture,
bedding, etc. Hy3ro-cyanide gas is used for furniture and steam treatment for bedding, the
charge per load being £3 for the former and 2s. 6d. the latter.
Section 26 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, authorises the cleansing
of verminous persons by the exercise of powers granted by a petty sessional court in oases where the
verminous person does not consent to being removed to a cleansing station. No use was made of
this Section during the year.
COMPULSORY REMOVAL OF AGED, INFIRM OR DISEASED PERSONS.
By virtue of Section 28 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1928, it is
possible in London to remove to a hospital o r infirmary, by compulsion and under certain
circumstances, aged, infirm, sick or physically incapacitated persons.
The circumstances which may enable an order for removal to be obtained are somewhat involved.
Unless the person concerned is Buffering from disease it is necessary for the premises
to be insanitary. It is in all cases necessary as well to prove that the person is not receiving proper
attention and that removal is necessary in the interests of the affected person and of other persons.
In no case was it necessary to obtain an order of the Court for removal, all cases which came
to notice being dealt with by means of persuasion.
SUPPLY OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
Section 77 qf the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, empowers a sanitary authority, with the
sanction of the Minister of Health, to provide a "temporary supply of medicine and medical
assistance for the poor inhabitants of their district." Arising out of an application from University
College Hospital for the Council to bear the cost of insulin needed by a poor resident of the Borough
attending the Diabetic Clinic, the sanction of the Minister of Health was sought and obtained, and
during the year 7,300 units of insulin were supplied at a cost of £1 13s. 6d.