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V. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Chief Public Health Inspector, Mr. H.W. Luke, reports as follows:-
"Rodent Control
The number of complaints of rodent infestation received in the Health Department in
1966, created considerable consternation. It is granted that when investigated infestations
by mice account for about sixty per cent, but it was felt, particularly having
regard to the severity and persistence of many infestations that the number of rat infestations
was far too high.
It was, therefore, decided to make a concentrated effort to combat this problem.
That defective sewers and drainage systems are the source of most infestations in urban
areas has long been the popular belief, and experience serves only to endorse this point
of view, but in addition there has been ample evidence that accumulations of refuse and
litter left undisturbed in derelict houses and on vacant sites provide ideal refuge and
breeding ground for rats.
Investigation of infestations commence with test baitings to assess the degree of
the infestation, and simultaneously search is made for rat runs followed by smoke tests
on runs and drains found in the locality. As the result of this procedure many defective
drains have been repaired and disused drains sealed off.
With an active housing programme the demolition and clearance of slum houses is a
continuous process, taking place in every corner of the borough. When existing buildings
are taken out of use and cleared away it is imperative that the drainage connections
should be disconnected from the sewer. Accordingly arrangements have been made both by
the Tower Hamlets Council and the Greater London Council for the borough engineer to
carry out the necessary work of disconnecting and sealing. This is now done by opening
the roadway and sealing off the sewer. Where private development takes place such as new
factories or office blocks, the developers are encouraged to provide new drainage
connections to the sewer and dispense with the old drainage systems previously used for
the site.
Fencing of vacant land for the purpose of preventing rubbish dumping has become an
urgent necessity. The greater majority of cleared sites in the borough are in possession
of the Greater London Council, who co-operate reasonably well particularly on freshly
cleared sites which are protected with corrugated iron sheeting immediately the property
demolition has been completed. There are in addition a number of sites in the borough
which have been cleared of buildings for some time and where the owners are difficult to
trace or cannot be found at all.
Following the submission of a report on this situation the Council voted a sum of
money for clearing and fencing sites by its own contractor where land owners cannot be
found. The procedure followed is to serve notices under the Prevention of Damage by
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