HC Deb 09 February 1998 vol 306 cc55-6W
Mr. Sanders

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what measures he proposes to eradicate mice from the Members' Smoking Room. [28359]

Mr. Dennis Turner

Pest control is the responsibility of the Director of Works; however, good housekeeping is essential in the prevention of pest infestation. To this effect, the contract cleaning of the Members' Smoking Room is carried out during the night, as soon as possible after close of business.

Although no reports of sightings of mice have recently been made to the management of the Refreshment Department or to the Parliamentary Works Directorate, the Refreshment Department will ensure that the cleaning contractors are aware of the importance of maintaining the correct standard of cleaning, and I have asked the management of the Department to ensure that particular attention is paid to the Members' Smoking Room.

However, in my personal capacity, I am on record as having said that the traditional way of keeping down rodent infestation is best; it may well be that if chemicals prove ineffective, the House may wish to reconsider re-introducing a cat as a more effective deterrent.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee when the Members' Smoking Room was last checked for vermin infestation. [28358]

Mr. Dennis Turner

Bait is set in eight places in the Members' Smoking Room as a precaution against rodent infestation. The bait is checked monthly, the last inspection being 16 January 1998. The last time the pest control contractor found evidence of the presence of mice in the Smoking Room was in August 1997.

I understand that staff of the Refreshment Department have been reminded of the correct procedure of reporting evidence or sightings of vermin.