This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38262832

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cabinet Office cats Evie and Ossie join Whitehall mousers Cabinet Office cats Evie and Ossie join Whitehall mousers
(about 20 hours later)
The Cabinet Office is the latest government department to turn to cats to try to rid it of its resident mice.The Cabinet Office is the latest government department to turn to cats to try to rid it of its resident mice.
Evie and Ossie, rescue cats from the Celia Hammond Trust, have been given the run of four floors at the Whitehall office.Evie and Ossie, rescue cats from the Celia Hammond Trust, have been given the run of four floors at the Whitehall office.
Downing Street has its own mouser - Larry - who was tasked in 2011 with ridding No 10 of a rat problem.Downing Street has its own mouser - Larry - who was tasked in 2011 with ridding No 10 of a rat problem.
In April, the Foreign Office took on its own mouser, Palmerston, while the Treasury recruited Gladstone in July.In April, the Foreign Office took on its own mouser, Palmerston, while the Treasury recruited Gladstone in July.
'Settling in''Settling in'
Evie and Ossie are the first to come from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust - Larry, Gladstone and Palmerston came from the better-known Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.Evie and Ossie are the first to come from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust - Larry, Gladstone and Palmerston came from the better-known Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
Evie is Ossie's mother - a Cabinet Office spokesman said they had been bought with funds raised from staff and were "settling in really well". Evie is Ossie's mother - a Cabinet Office spokeswoman said the cats would be looked after with donations from staff and were "settling in really well".
Much of Whitehall seems to have a rodent problem. Larry was first bought after a rat was spotted scuttling past Downing Street's famous front door on live TV. The Foreign Office and Treasury recruited their own mousers this year.Much of Whitehall seems to have a rodent problem. Larry was first bought after a rat was spotted scuttling past Downing Street's famous front door on live TV. The Foreign Office and Treasury recruited their own mousers this year.
The Cabinet Office has named Evie after Dame Evelyn Sharp, the first female permanent secretary, while Ossie is named after Sir Edward Osmotherly - author of the rules followed by civil servants in giving evidence to select committees.The Cabinet Office has named Evie after Dame Evelyn Sharp, the first female permanent secretary, while Ossie is named after Sir Edward Osmotherly - author of the rules followed by civil servants in giving evidence to select committees.
A spokesman said the cats had arrived a couple of weeks ago, in time for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Cabinet Office.A spokesman said the cats had arrived a couple of weeks ago, in time for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Cabinet Office.
"Everybody's been really enthusiastic. They are a very welcome presence in the office," she said."Everybody's been really enthusiastic. They are a very welcome presence in the office," she said.
"They have been settling in and getting familiar with the building.""They have been settling in and getting familiar with the building."
The cats will be kept indoors and will have four floors to roam around.The cats will be kept indoors and will have four floors to roam around.