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THE HEATING APPLIANCES (FIREGUARDS) ACT,1952.
This Act which prohibits the sale,o.r letting, of certain
heating appliances without an effective fireguard, together
with Regulations made by the Secretary of State, became
operative during 1 954.
Eleven visits were made to premises in the Borough
and one warning given where such an appliance was not
satisfactory. The offending appliance was withdrawn from
sale.
THE PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951.
This Act is designed "to regulate the sale of pet
animals".
Three premises were licensed during the year. Eleven
inspections were made but no infringements of the licence
conditions found.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
continued its grant-aid of 50 per cent of the irrecoverable
expenditure incurred by the Council in carrying out its
functions under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
The Act places upon the occupiers or, in certain
circumstances the owners, of land (including buildings)
the responsibility for the destruction of rats and mice
thereon and for keeping the land free from such pests.
It is the duty of the Council to carry out inspections
to see that this is done, and to secure so far as practicable
that their district is kept free from rats and mice. Where
necessary they may serve upon owners or occupiers notices
requiring them to take steps for this purpose and penalties
are laid down for failure to comply with such notices.
The policy of the Council is, however, to give such
assistance as is possible to the occupiers of private
dwelling houses. For that purpose they permit their own
small rodent control staff, who are primarily engaged to
deal with Corporation property (including sewers) to give
advice and practical help where appropriate, without charge,
subject to the signing of the "Request for Treatment" form.
The Council is under no legal obligation to do this
and does not undertake to provide a service for the
destruction of vermin, but does allow its staff to help
so far as time permits. Many requests are received and
are responded to as quickly as possible, and in the order
received as far as practicable, but at times it is as long
as a week before complaints can be dealt with.
50.