§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statutory powers he exercises over suppliers of water disposal services in respect of levels of rodent infestation in sewers; where standards relating to such infestation are publicised; and what powers elected authorities or district health authorities possess to inspect and enforce levels of infestation. [37268]
§ Mr. ClappisonThere is no specific duty on water and sewerage companies in relation to the control of rats in sewers. However, all sewerage undertakers have programmes to control and reduce the number of rats in their systems. Local authorities have a long-standing duty to keep themselves informed about the sufficiency of drainage systems in their area to ensure that they do not pose a threat to public health. Failure to control rat162W infestations on property could be enforceable by the local authority environmental health officer under part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if it is judged to be a statutory nuisance.