Written question asked by Patrick Nicholls (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 March 2001. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment Her Majesty's Government has made of the overall economic consequences to areas where foot and mouth disease has been discovered; if he will identify the consequential losses that flow from the disease with a view to proposing a package of financial measures to assist; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to 16 March 2001, 364 c753-4W.

Answer: Mr. Nicholls: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the overall economic consequences for areas where foot and mouth disease has been discovered; if he will identify the consequential losses that flow from the disease with a view to proposing a package of financial measures to assist; and if he will make a statement. [153975] The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 March 2001, Official Report, columns 753-54W. The overall economic consequences cannot be quantified until the full extent of the outbreak is known. However, the situation is clearly a serious one. That is why I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to chair a Task Force to consider the implications of the outbreak for the rural economy, both immediately and in the longer term and to report to me on appropriate measures.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 365 c10W; 153975
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Agriculture Foot and mouth disease Government assistance Economic situation Tourism Rural areas Foot and Mouth Task Force
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk