HC Deb 09 February 1948 vol 447 cc33-4
58. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the need for rat control in industrial areas, and the continuing waste involved, he will seek powers to enable him to remove from local authorities the obligation to make a charge for destroying rats in private premises.

Mr. T. Williams

Legislation concerning pest control is under consideration, but I am not prepared to anticipate its form.

Mr. Platts-Mills

In view of the fact that in urban areas the people who suffer from rats, as a rule, do not breed them— [Interruption.] I am not referring to hon. Members opposite—would the Minister bear in mind that general equity would be served if he arranged that when the rats on the premises of those sufferers are destroyed, those people shall not have to pay the cost?