What the media says about me...
"Paul Flynn and Gordon Prentice have become this Parliament’s saltiest select committee interrogators. They have been consistent value for money, pulling apart a succession of crooks, con men and blue-sky pseuds."Quentin Letts, Daily Mail, May 2008
| There's a Mouse in the House |
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| Thursday, 17 December 2009 20:10 |
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A move by local MP, Gordon Prentice, to persuade the House of Commons authorities to secure the services of a resident cat has been rebuffed. After spotting a mouse in the House of Commons tearoom, the MP urged the House of Commons Commission – the body responsible for looking after the listed building - to "consider the merits of providing a resident cat". The MP said: "The mouse was in the tearoom for a good ten 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." Speaking for the Commission, MP Nick Harvey 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."Speaking afterwards, the Pendle MP commented: "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 therapeutic." ends
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