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made by their Infestation Control Laboratory to find new mouse poisons. The
Ministry also pointed out in the same letter the importance of all sewer manholes
being baited four times during the year in order to reduce rat infestations, and
the Council approved additional expenditure to enable the recommended four treatments
per year to be carried out in 1970/1971.
Rats gaining access to premises which have been vacated and are unoccupied
allowing the water seals of drains, water closets and other sanitary appliances
to evaporate and thus destroying the barrier between the premises and the sewer
have given cause for concern, so much so that it was decided to make representation
to the London Boroughs Association in order that consideration could
be given to implementing legislation in the next Greater London Council (General
Powers) Bill for enforcing suitable measures to be taken to temporarily seal off
drains in premises empty for a period of three months or more.
With regard to mouse infestations in business premises, every effort has
been made to co-operate with servicing companies. It is however, a matter of
concern that there is no obligation on the part of servicing companies to notify
the local authorities when they are so engaged and whilst some of the more reliable
companies do inform the Department and enlist co-operation, it is
regrettable others do not.
Perhaps consideration could be given at some future date to the wisdom of
formulating such legislation.
It is of interest to note that whereas ready mixed baits were proving to be
of only moderate success against mice in business premises, much more success
has resulted ty using as a bait the particular foods the mice seem to attack in
the premises, for instance, chocolate and custard powder. There can be no doubt
the policy of paying more attention to the selection of base baits will pay
dividends.

A total of 4,946 complaints were received and 4,815 inspections carried out.
RAG FLOCK & OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
This Act requires the Registration of Premises upon which specified
materials are used in the process of upholstering furniture, the stuffing or
lining of bedding, or toys. There are 25 premises registered in the Borough.
There are five premises where these specified materials are actually manufactured,
stored or offered for sale and these are licensed annually.
The normal sampling programme was interrupted because the Department had
been informed by the Testing Station that the work was not being undertaken
until negotiations regarding revised fees had been settled with the Ministry.
MASSAGE AND SPECIAL TREATMENT
Under the provisions of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1920, as continued in force by the London Government Act, 1963, 14 establishments
were licensed to carry out massage and special treatments.