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11
Eradication of Bed Bugs. The necessary action was taken in all cases where
infestation by bed bugs was discovered, in accordance with the usual procedure
adopted by the Department. This procedure has been fully described in previous
Annual Reports. The total number of inspections of verminous premises was
3,601. Hydrogen Cyanide was used for the disinfestation of 65 loads of furniture
on removal to Council houses or flats, but no house was disinfested by this method.
Rat Destruction. The work of rat destruction continued during the year.
The area of each complaint received was surveyed and appropriate measures were
taken where necessary.
In October, in compliance with a Ministry of Food request, a special scheme
for block control was adopted. The Ministry desired, in the first instance, a scheme
for block control to be applied to all private dwelhngs in the Borough, but in view
of the amount of work already carried out in Woolwich a modified scheme providing
for block control in industrial areas only was finally approved. The staff
engaged on this work was increased by four, making six in all, two of whom were
trained as investigators. These operated under the supervision of a sanitary inspector
who deVoted the whole of his time to rat destruction and prevention.
The total number of premises surveyed during the year was 3,176, and the
number of inspections was 7,632. Effective preventive measures were taken in
1,553 instances, after baiting and trapping.
Maintenance treatments of the sewers in the Borough were carried out in
January and June, and in these two treatments 608 manholes were baited, most
of them on both occasions. The results of these treatments continue to be satisfactory
and indicate their worth in helping to keep the rat population of the Borough
at a low level.
Housing. The total number of dwelling houses inspected for housing defects
under the Public Health or Housing Acts was 5,851, and the number found not
to be in all respects reasonably fit for habitation was 2,214. The number rendered
fit in consequence of informal action by the sanitary inspectors, including the
service of intimation notices, was 1,698. Statutory notices were served in respect
of 630 houses.
The problems in relation to housing dealt with by the Department were
aggravated by the acute housing shortage, notwithstanding the measures taken by
the Council for its relief. It is noteworthy that the number of new houses erected
was 726 ; of these 610 were temporary (418 under the administration of the Borough
Council and 192 under the administration of the London County Council). Of the
116 permanent houses, 99 were erected by the Borough Council and 17 by private
builders.
Some indication of the Council's housing problem is given by the following:—
The long waiting list from 1939, despite the building of 14,667 houses in the
Borough between the years 1920 and 1939; no building during the war years;
1,894 houses demolished; 35,999 houses damaged (3,788 seriously); and the higher
marriage and birth rates causing a greater demand for new homes than before the
war.