asked the Minister for Finance whether the Office of Public Works is at present engaged in rodent control in State buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eradication of rodents in State buildings is a service which is undertaken regularly by the Office of Public Works. The work is carried out by specialist contractors.

They would want to start in this House now.

Would the Minister undertake to see that particular care is taken during extermination of these rodents to ensure that no Member of the Government is in the building for fear of a mistake?

That is a rather heavy joke.

Is it not a fact that many of them are deserting the sinking ship at the moment?

The brown rat is the most dangerous rat.

Question No. 40 postponed.