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disposal of sound food which for various reasons became unsaleable in
the shops. Such food was directed for use in canteens or for
manufacturing purposes. All food found to be unsound was disposed of
to the best advantage of the community. The total quantity found to
be unsound was 105 tons, 18 cwts. and 2 1b3.
The Department continued to work in friendly co-operation with the
Salvage Department of the Ministry of Pood and with the Southwark Food
Control Committee.
MORTUARY AND CORONER'S COURT.

COMMON LODGING HOUSES .
There are 4 lodging houses for women in Southwark with a total of
252 beds but one has been so extensively damaged by enemy action that
it is temporarily closed. Two others were badly damaged but continued
to take in some lodgers while repairs were being effected.
A new licence was granted to one common lodging house allowing
two more beds than the previous number. In two of the lodging houses
the standard of cleanliness and lighting were poor, tut notices were
served and defects remedied. 64 visits were paid during the year.
There are also two large men's lodging houses in the Borough with
a bed capacity of 776, which during the year were periodically visited
by the male sanitary inspectors, a fair standard of sanitary condition
being maintained at each.
FACTORIES ACT, 1957.
The factories in the Borough, many of which were engaged upon work
of national importance, were visited at frequent periods to ensure that
a good standard of cleanliness and hygienic condition was adhered to,
particularly as many factories were working upon extended hours and, in
a number of instances, on night work. Generally the sanitary condition
of the factories was good, but where this was not up to standard,
notices were served and conditions improved. In those cases where the
inspectors noted a lack of the welfare provisions, and other offences
under the Act, due notice was sent to H.M. Inspector of Factories
drawing attention thereto. With few exceptions, female labour was
employed at all the factories and 733 visits by the Council's Woman
Health Officer were made to each such factory, who served some 49
notices in respect of nuisances. This officer also paid 219 visits to
the homes of outworkers in the Borough. Other visits to factories
made by district sanitary inspectors numbered 658.
RODENT DESTRUCTION.
In the early part of the year following upon a Direction made under
the Infestation Order, 1943, and served on the Council by the Ministry
of Pood, requiring the Council to undertake the wholesale destruction
of rats and mice in the Borough, a scheme was prepared and put into
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