§ VISCOUNT MONSELLasked Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the report of the World Health Organisation that town-bred pigeons are generally diseased and can fatally infect human beings, they will curb the mass breeding of these pests on their property (notably on the back of the War Office) which for years have made large parts of Westminster dirty, dangerous and insanitary and most of the seats in the parks unfit to sit upon.
EARL ST. ALDWYNHer Majesty's Government are advised that the risk to the public from infection transmitted by pigeons is so slight as not to constitute a health problem. Nevertheless, the mess made by pigeons in Westminster and elsewhere can be very unpleasant. All practical action is taken to discourage them from breeding and roosting on the War Office building and other Government properties. The seats in the Royal Parks are regularly cleaned.
House adjourned at ten minutes past seven o'clock.