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Regular inspections of these premises are made by the Public Health Inspectors, particular
attention being given to fire precautions, numbers of lodgers accommodated, tracing any possibly
verminous persons or articles, sanitary and washing facilities, and to general compliance with the
Byelaw requirements. Both common lodging houses were well managed and maintained throughout
1967.
Facilities are provided at Bruce House for the disinfestation of any residents who require this
service, together with a doctor's room in which local general practitioners can see their patients.
Arrangements also exist for regular visits by Social Workers from the Health Department and the
Welfare Department to this lodging house.
Local Land Charges
The number of formal enquiries dealt with during 1967 was 7,783 compared with 6,484 in
1966. Many informal enquiries relating to specific details are also received and answered.
Radioactive Substances Act, 1960
Persons who keep or use radioactive materials are, unless exempted, required to register with
the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and obtain authorisation for the accumulation and
disposal of radioactive waste.
Copies of certificates of registration, authorisation and supplementary provisions, the cancellation
or variation of certificates issued by the Minister in respect of users in the City, are received and
recorded. Appropriate action is taken in respect of any special precautions so far as they relate
to the Department in connection with the conditions specified in the certificates.
Rodent Control
A staff of eight rodent operatives under the supervision of the Pest Control Officer is based on
two centres, namely, 313/319 Harrow Road for the northern half of the City, and at Brydges
Place, Covent Garden, for the southern half of the City.
Primary and follow-up visits are made without charge in respect of complaints of rat and mouse
infestation in domestic and business premises and a free disinfestation service is provided for
domestic premises. Short-term treatment only is undertaken at business premises and for this a
charge is made. Where treatment necessitates regular attention on a long-term basis, business firms
are advised to employ a commercial pest control organisation.
Continued attention is given to advances in methods of treatment and with particular regard
to formulations of poison baits as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Statistics in regard to Rodent Control are given in Table 18, page 72.
Insect Pest Control—Disinfestation
The work of insect disinfestation is carried out from two centres, namely, Lissonia, 217 Lisson
Grove, N.W.8 and Wedlake Street Medicinal Baths, Kensal Road, W.10 by a staff of five disinfectors
who also undertake disinfection.
Continued attention is given to methods of insecticidal treatment and the formulations of spray
and powder in use are specified with particular regard to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food recommendations.
As for rodent control, a free service is provided in domestic premises but in business premises
where insect control is a matter of routine maintenance it is advised that a commercial pest control
organisation be employed.
During the year, 2,760 (1,818) rooms were disinfested.
Disinfection
During the year, 99 (89) rooms, 6,073 (4,145) articles of bedding and clothing and 482 (644)
books were disinfected.
The Department continued to be asked by residents to certify that clothing intended for despatch
to foreign countries, mainly in central and eastern Europe, was free from infection. Disinfection
was carried out only when the articles concerned had actually been in contact with infectious
disease. Eighty-three (60) certificates were issued indicating that no infectious disease had been
reported for at least one month at the premises from which the clothing was purported to have come.
Pigeon Control
Section 74 of the Public Health Act, 1961, empowers the City Council to take any steps necessary
for the purpose of mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by the congregation of
pigeons in a built-up area.