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notified during the year. Informal advice with a
view to preventing a repetition was offered
in 43 cases as a result of investigation but legal
proceedings were not found necessary. Only 10
of the accidents were associated with the use
of machinery or means of transport. Falls or
collisions of persons and the handling of goods
account for the majority (39) of the accidents
reported. In the case of the fatal accident where
an employee fell from a window no evidence
was found of any structural fault or malpractice
on the part of the occupier of the premises.
Moveable dwellings
'Seven site licences under the Caravan Sites and
Control of Development Act 1960 were
operative relating to 8 caravans. Sites occupied
by showmen are exempt from licensing
requirements.
'1,253 inspections were made of approved
caravans and of intinerant caravans placed on
unauthorised sites though there were no major
invasions of the latter type during the year. Nine
summonses were issued under Section 345 of
the Middlesex County Council Act 1944 in
order to protect the resident population from the
nuisances and intimidation associated with some
of the van dwellers.
Feral pigeons
'In general, public opinion still tends to ignore
the nuisances caused and damage done by wild
pigeons and to over-emphasise their value as
a desirable feature in the urban environment.
Nevertheless complaints are received in respect
of the larger congregations of birds in some
parts of the borough and 175 birds were destroyed
together with eggs and nests in exercise of the
powers conferred by Section 74 of the Public
Health Act 1961. It is known that commercial
pest destruction specialists have also been active.
Prevention of damage by pests Act 1949
'The annual return submitted to the Minister
appears in Table 25. It is pleasing to record
that routine inspections exceed in numbers
those made in response to notifications of
infestations and that in the former only 960 out
of 7,781 premises showed evidence of rats or
mice whereas in the latter, infestations were
confirmed at 3,749 out of 5,015 premises.
Routine treatment of sewers has progressed
especially in the eastern parts of the borough
and judging by the baits taken this must have
had a significant influence on surface infestations
in the area. 101 visits were also paid by public
health inspectors to deal with circumstances
calling for action additional to the extermination
of rats or mice. Special attention is given to
Brentford Market in view of its vulnerability
to pests brought in with produce, and to local
authority properties and lands where illicit
dumping of rubbish occurs. The deliberations
of the Ministry's London No. 3 (Western) Pest
Control Committee provide a valuable avenue
for the exchange of information and for liaison
with the Ministry and other local authorities.
Noise
'Arrangements were made during the year for all
the public health inspectors to attend courses
at technical colleges and these were a valuable
aid to mastery of the complex technicalities
of the subject.
'59 complaints were received of which 45 had
been investigated by the end of the year. 22
nuisances were confirmed and 13 remedied
informally. The difficulty of establishing a
nuisance and suggesting a remedy is illustrated
by the fact that no fewer than 475 visits and
observations were necessary to attain the results
achieved.
Housing
'During the year 768 new dwelling were erected
by the borough council and 393 by private
enterprise. None was completed by housing
associations.
'The action taken by this department in respect
of insanitary or unfit dwellings is summarised
below:—
1. Inspections
a. Total inspected for housing defects under
Housing and Public Health Acts 330
b. Inspected and recorded under Housing
Regulations (included in (a)) 51
84