Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle took in Atlee, the cat who has gone around the Houses of Parliament for mice ahead of the coronation on Saturday. Artless hasn't found anything.
This comes after Parliament spent over a million pounds on pest control in the past ten years. According to Parliament documents, a huge part of the unwelcome furry guests in the Palace of Westminster are house mice and common rats.
This means that Attlee will see how his work cuts out if he's now in charge of clearing the pests from Westminster. It is a more challenging task than the one assigned to Larry, the chief mouser in Downing Street, which has a smaller patch to cover but has faced creatures as big as a fox.
Sir Lindsay is an animal lover with a collection of politically-themed pets. Atlee was named after the post-war Prime minister Clement Attlee. He also has Boris the Parrot, that is being taught to sing God Save the King.
Sir Lindsay will host the royals alongside Prime Minster Rishi Sunk and the opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer in Westminster Hall.
It remains to be seen if Atlee will have the opportunity to greet the royal visitors, but his presence in the Palace of Westminster will surely be a welcome addition to the ongoing battle against pests.
Royal Pests
The Palace of Westminster has long been plagued by pests, from rats and mice to pigeons and even foxes. The problem is not only unsanitary but also poses a threat to the historical building's structure.
Various measures have been taken over the years to combat these pests, including using humane traps and employing trained birds of prey. However, with such a vast area to cover, it remains an ongoing battle.
The appointment of Attlee as Chief Mouser at Westminster is a positive step in this fight against infestations. With his keen sense of smell and hunting instincts honed through selective breeding, he will undoubtedly be an effective predator for any rodents that dare cross his path.
It's heartening to see Sir Lindsay Hoyle taking proactive steps towards improving conditions within the historic parliamentary buildings while showing his love for animals through his collection of politically-themed pets like Atlee and Boris the Parrot.
As we look forward to welcoming royal visitors once again after months spent in lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, having clean premises free from pest problems should be one less thing on our minds, thanks in part due Attlee's vigilant presence.
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