§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to control and to reduce the rat population; and what advice he has given on rat control strategies to local authorities and water authorities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDuties to control rats rest with district councils, London borough councils, the common council of the city of London and port health authorities under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. This legislation is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase the resources available to enable local authority environmental health officers and pest control officers to deal with rat infestations.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIt is for each local authority todecide what resources to make available to its environmental health department. The need for expenditure on public health is taken into account in assessing grant-related expenditure for the purposes of the rate support grant.
§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what figures are available as to the number of rats in Derbyshire, the numbers for the previous two years, and the anticipated numbers.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not available.