Mice infest London's Westminster Palace

LONDON -- The House of Lords has a momentous decision to make: Should it get cats to chase the mice that have infested one of Britain's most famous buildings? London's Houses of Parliament, also known as Westminster Palace, has rodents, and the peers aren't exactly sure what to do about it. Ivan Anthony Moore-Brabazon, the House's administration chief, on Wednesday turned down suggestions to acquire cats. He said the felines could ingest mice poison or wander around the chamber and disrupt business. He favors the current tactic of using poison and mousetraps. Parliament staff have reported daily sightings of the rodents in the palace's restaurants and bars. The performers' union Equity said nearby theaters in London's West End are facing similar problems, with three-quarters of actors and stage managers reporting infestations of mice, rats and fleas, according to The Guardian newspaper.