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15
for large families, or those who are living in insanitary housing conditions."
In the light of this circular, a list of families whose needs were considered
to be the most urgent was prepared, the families mostly being those living
in overcrowded conditions, but some being included because of the
unsatisfactory state of their dwellings. The accommodation offered
though, failed to attract some of those living in houses which had been
condemned as unfit for human habitation.
Verminous Premises.
97 premises were inspected on receipt of complaint of infestation by
insects or vermin, ants, crickets, beetles, cockroaches, etc. The number
of premises found to be bug infested was 66; to these 716 revisits were
made.
As in previous years, several houses and flats requisitioned by the
Council lor rehousing of bombed-out London families were, during the
year, found to be in a verminous condition, necessitating fumigation.
Rat Infestation.
The subject of rat infestation received particular attention during
the year from the Infestation Branch of the Ministry of Food. By the
Infestation Order of 1943, any local authority might be directed (a) to
make a report as to the prevalence of rats; (b) to remedy infestation on
the land of the authority, or (c) to enforce control of infestation, these
duties being in addition to and not in derogation of any obligations under
the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act. In June a direction was received
to carry out a survey of major infestations. The two areas considered
to fall in this category were the controlled tip at Elmgrove Road, Wealdstone,
and the tip at Cannon Lane, Pinner.
In September, the Ministry of Food undertook a publicity campaign,
inviting residents to report the occurrence of rats to the Public Health
Office, either by telephone or by completing and posting coupons cut out
of newspapers. The information received was passed on to the Ministry
of Food in detail, though later they requested to be informed only of the
number of notices received, without particulars. There were 326 intimations
from this source.
In November, as the result of representations by the Ministry of
Food, the County Council approached local authorities with a view to
their assuming the powers and duties under the Rats and Mice (Destruction)
Act. The Council had, on a previous occasion, applied for these
powers to be transferred to them, an application which the County
Council at that time declined to accede to. In spite of an appreciation
of the difficulties that would be experienced in obtaining staff for the
purpose it was decided that these new duties should be assumed. April
1st, 1944, was later accepted as the date of transfer, but as from February
1st the Local Authority was requested to take over the work as the agents
of the County Council. The Council delegated to the Public Health
Committee their powers and duties under the Rats and Mice (Destruction)
Act and the Infestation Order.
The control of rat infestation, particularly in houses and small
business premises is closely linked with the routine work of the sanitary
inspector. Accumulations and deposits which might give rise to sanitary