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59
the doses here however, are very small, apparently so small that it is held
that no harm would follow if someone swallowed the lot. Whereas at one
time the assessment of contamination of human food and agricultural
land was carried out by the Atomic Energy Authority, since 1957 the
Agricultural Research Council has been responsible for this work and
issues periodical reports on its findings.
The Veale Committee was set up to consider Training of Radiological
Health and Safety Operatives. To make the most use of the specialists
who are being trained under University Postgraduate Courses of Instruction,
the Committee recommend the setting-up under the Minister of
Science of a National Radiological Advisory Service with regional centres.
This service would be able to give advice to organisations which had not
full-time health and safety specialists. If or when such an organisation
is set up, comfort can then be given to those in any area that there will be
someone who can reassure them about the position in their own areas,
and they will not then have to rely on the results of investigations
carried out about materials gathered from far distant localities.
Rats and Mice
During the year the Rodent Operatives found rats or mice at 1,220
of the 1,365 premises visited on receipt of complaint. Each of the infestations
was small and localised. Most of the complaints were from private
dwelling houses, 1,111 of these being in respect of rats and forty-nine of
mice. Forty infestations of rats and three of mice were at Corporation
properties ; 128 and thirty-four at other premises. The number of visits
made by Rodent Operatives to these properties was 1,365 ; the figures
for the three previous years were 1,690, 1,296 and 1,192. Vermin infestation
is encouraged largely by the practice of people feeding pets and
wild birds in the gardens of their houses without taking elementary
precautions against this providing an attractive food supply for rodents.
This district is not greatly troubled with infestations in the sewers.
Those known to be infested were treated twice during the year. Periodical
surveys of watercourses on land owned by the Corporation were carried
out during the year and any treatment found necessary was carried out.
Wasps
During the year, 647 complaints about wasps nests were received.
Although the number was smaller than the 818 of the previous year,
imitation of staff prevented complaints at all times being dealt with
immediately. 558 were treated, the remaining eighty-nine being otherwise
dealt with.
Pigeons
By 1958 the nuisance from pigeons, especially in South Harrow, had
becomeso great that the Council authorised the destruction of birds at
the Gas Works Northolt Road and at the nearby Railway Arches. This
ent brought about a marked reduction in numbers. It was