The corridors of power could soon be home to some cat-and-mouse politics as feline friends are brought in to tackle a problem putting MPs off their food.

A group of MPs has called on the House of Commons to employ cats to take on what they describe as a growing problem with mice.

Eight Liberal Democrat MPs say a large number of mice live in the Palace of Westminster - and the problem has reached MPs' dining rooms.

It (the mouse) was very brave, very bold and it looked extremely healthy

John Pugh MP

They have signed a motion which says it would be "fiscally prudent for the Sergeant at Arms's department to invest in a House of Commons cat to try to tackle this problem".

They want the Commons administration committee to investigate the problem.

John Pugh, MP for Southport, who has signed the motion, said it was raised after a meal at the members' dining room at Westminster when a mouse appeared under the skirting board.

'Mice breed'

"We noticed a little mouse going backwards and forwards - it was very brave, very bold and it looked extremely healthy," he said.

John Barret, MP for Edinburgh West, proposed the motion after he witnessed the incident.

Mr Barrett brought motion after meal

He is hopeful the motion will be passed as it is 'cost-effective'.

"It is true that mice breed at great speed - I read one pair can produce 1,000 to 2,000 offspring," he said.

"I appreciate it is not the most serious issue but we can't always be serious.

"But the fact is that in an outside restaurant this would be a serious environment health matter."

Mr Barrett was spurred on by news of mice munching on breakfast cereal at the Scottish Parliamentary Offices at George IV Bridge.

'MPs munching'

Referring to Socks, the cat formerly at the White House, and the ex-Downing Street cat Humphrey, he said it was about time there was a cat at the Palace of Westminster.

Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat shadow international development secretary, is another MP to back the motion.

Dr Tonge has suggested MPs have a clean-up

She said: "MPs are munching all over the place - so the mice have quality food droppings.

"Just imagine what would happen when one (cat) got into the House of Commons during prime minister's question time and got itself in front of Mr Blunkett's dog.

"I think we just need to get MPs to clean up a bit."

The motion has also been signed by Patsy Calton, Sandra Gidley and Paul Holmes.