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For the convenience of the public a stock of insecticides
and sprayers is held in the Department, and these articles are
sold at cost price when required. This service seems to be
much appreciated.
(b) School Canteens. At the request of the Surrey County
Council 7 school canteens were sprayed with insocticide to
prevent insect pests, the County Council paying the cost of
the work.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 became operative
on 31st March, 1950.
It is too early to comment upon the effect of the change in
legislation; so far our work has continued as previously and it
has not been necessary to make use of any of the enforcement
sections.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries continued its
grant-aid of 50 per cent of the Irrecoverable expenditure
incurred by the Council in carrying out its functions.
Grant aid is not available in respect of expenditure incurred
on treatment at commercial and industrial promises, and the full
cost of the work must therefore be recovered from the occupiers.
25 courses of treatment were carried out at business premises
by the Council's staff on payment by the occupiers of the cost
involved.
The Council continued to make no charge for treatment of
infestations at private dwellings provided the occupiers took
such steps as might from time to time be necessary and reasonably
practicable for preventing their premises from becoming infested
with rats and mice.
This decision has considerably facilitated work on private
property. Under the charging scheme there were constant disputes
as to liability and one 'difficult' occupier frequently held up
treatment on a block of property for long periods. Now, immediately
an infestation is found, treatment can proceed, and the figures
which follow indicate the extent of the work carried out during
the year.
36.