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Local Land Charges
The number of formal enquiries dealt with during 1969 was 8,336 (8,622). This figure does not
include supplemental enquiries or personal searches.
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 Bessborough Street
M. & C. W. Centre 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.
Commencing in June, 1969, the baiting of sewers against rat infestation, in accordance with the
requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, was undertaken by a contractor on
behalf of the City Council. Every manhole and side entry to the sewers is baited with an approved
rodenticide, and this method of treatment, which at the end of the year was proving to be very successful,
is expected to be completed within twelve months. By then every manhole and side entry will
have been baited on four occasions. The operation requires advance information to be given to the
Metropolitan Police, the Greater London Council, the adjoining London Boroughs and the City of
London Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the City Engineer with
regard to safety precautions which apply.
Continued attention is given to advances in methods of treatment, 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 17, page 74.
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 in the case of 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 2,920 (3,917) rooms were disinfested.
Disinfection
During the year 87 (45) rooms, 5,247 (6,653) articles of bedding and clothing and 270 (209)
books were disinfected.
The Department continued to be asked by residents to certify that clothing intended for despatch
to foreign countries, mainly in Central Eastern Europe was free from infection. In such cases disinfection
is carried out only when the articles concerned have actually been in contact with
infectious disease. Seventy-three (58) 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.