§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of(a) the likely change in the population of rats in the sewerage system and (b) which factors will determine that change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector MonroThe regional and islands councils in Scotland are responsible for sewerage matters and no authority has indicated to my right hon. Friend that there has been any recent change in the population of rats in sewers. No significant problem with rats in sewerage systems in Scotland is known to exist. Any outbreak or an increase in the rat population in sewers would be dealt with by the authorities' drainage departments.