§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) who has the responsibility for rat control in public sewers; and what steps he has taken to monitor performance in this area; [5156]
(2) what plans he has to review the duties and responsibilities of the sewerage undertakings with respect to the funding of sewer baiting programmes to control the rat population. [5155]
§ Ms Angela EagleNo one body has overall responsibility for rodent control because of the diverse factors involved in dealing with both the causes and effects of rodent infestations. Sewerage undertakers have programmes to control and reduce the number of rats 519W entering sewers and the funding of these programmes is a matter for each undertaker. All undertakers monitor the level of rat infestation in their sewers and I understand that the water industry will be undertaking some research in this area early next year. Local authorities have the power to take action if the drainage systems in their area pose a threat to public health and this helps to ensure that sewerage undertakers maintain a sufficient programme to control the rat population. I have no plans to review the duties or monitor the performance of sewerage undertakers in this field.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when it is proposed to review the approved document to part H of the Building Regulations; and what plans he has to strengthen the advice on the prevention of damage(a) by rates and (b) from high pressure water jetting for cleaning drains. [5158]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe propose to begin a review of the Approved Document to Part H of the Building Regulations next year, when we will consider whether the advice on prevention of damage by rats and from high pressure water jetting needs to be strengthened.