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6
Common Lodging Houses. The - inspection of the so promises was carried
out at frequent intervals, and nuisanees were
abated. In several instances. In few cases evidence of lice was
found and notices under the Scabies Order, 1941 were served on the
lodgers cencerned who were subsequently treated at tho Council's
Treatment and Bathing Centre, and the bedding disinfested. One Common
Lodging House for men was closed, the promises being insanitary and
unfit for reconditioning.
Factories. The inspection of factories was regularly carried out and
nuisances where found were abated. In a few instances
additional W.C. accommodation had to be provided for increased staffs,
whilst in one or two eases permission was granted for the use of
temporary accommodation as an emergency measure.
Rats and Mice Destruction. During 1942, probably due to quieter
conditions following air raidings, rats
commenced to come back to their old haunts and more complaints were
received than in 1941, A number of defects in drains and sewers as
the result of war damage were the contributing factor to a number of
Infestations. Throughout the year, the systematic laying of poisoned
baits in the Council's sewers was continued, but there was a little
difficulty during the summer in obtaining supplies of red quill and
barium, the chief source of supply of the former poison being from
countries In enemy bands., Some difficulty was also experienced in
obtaining waste fat for making up paste baits, but by the assistance of
the Ministry of Pood it was possible to overcome this problem. On
the 30th Aprils the Ministry of Food took over the powers concerning
redent repressions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
This transfer of powers resulted in a speeding up of activity for the
destruction of rats and mice.

HOUSING-.
During the year there was a very large increase in the number of
applicants for housing accommodation due principally to applicants
accommodation becoming illegally overcrowded; caused by the return of
relatives from evacuation areas or in a number of Instances to the desire
of people who had been evacuated to neutral areas, to again become
residents of Southwark. Another type of applicant was the young married
couple who upon marriage did not set up a home, but continued to live
with parents, the husband having boon called up for service in His
Majesty's Forces. In some cases the husband had received his discharge
from the Forces whilst in others children had been born Of the marriage,
thus causing immediate overcrowding in the parents' home.
Continued