Pendle MP wants Commons cat after spotting mouse in tearoom (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Pendle MP wants Commons cat after spotting mouse in tearoom

12:28pm Monday 21st December 2009 in Pendle By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A CAMPAIGN by an East Lancashire MP to secure the services of a cat for the House of Commons has been neutered by parliamentary officials.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice had urged the Commons authorities to consider employing a feline after spotting a mouse in one of the landmark’s tearooms.

He asked the House of Commons Commission, which is responsible for running the affairs of the government seat, to take the action.

Mr Prentice said: “The mouse was in the tearoom for a good 10 minutes.

“Darting here and there. Bold as brass.

“There are traps all over the place but they are clearly ineffective.”

“A cat in the tearoom would have a very enjoyable life.”

But MP Nick Harvey, on behalf of the Commission, has rebuffed the Pendle politician’s appeal.

He said: “The Commission has no plans to introduce a cat. The House Service includes a qualified pest controller, who monitors and controls pests on the parliamentary estate using humane and effective methods.

“In addition, an independent expert is employed to audit and advice on pest control, and inspections of catering areas are undertaken by the local council.

“The clear advice we have is that all effective measures possible are being taken, but that in a building such as the palace, pests such as mice can only be controlled rather than eradicated.”

Later Mr Prentice said: “I am naturally disappointed that my suggestion was dismissed.

“I am sure a lot of MPs would have found the presence of a resident cat in the tearoom very thera-peutic.”

If the MP’s plea had been adopted, the Commons cat would have joined a long line of famous political pussies.

Perhaps the most illustrious was Wilberforce, who served as unofficial “Chief Mouser” to the Cabinet Office in 10 Downing Street, under Prime Ministers Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher.

Later a stray called Humphrey wandered into Number 10, during Thatcher’s reign, and remained during John Major’s term of office.

Dark rumours circulated that Humphrey had been put out to pasture when Tony Blair assumed the reigns, until Alistair Campbell arranged an impromptu photocall for the missing moggy.