§ Q l. Mr. GrayTo ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit north Wiltshire. [2574]
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Tony Blair)I have no plans to visit north Wiltshire at the present time.
§ Mr. GrayWhen he does, will the Prime Minister take the opportunity to visit Chippenham livestock market to speak to farmers, who are confident that the beef ban will have been at the top of his personal agenda in Amsterdam? If their confidence is well founded, will he explain the omission of any mention of beef in the presidency's conclusions?
§ The Prime MinisterI am surprised that any Conservative Member has the nerve to raise the subject of beef, given what we inherited from the previous Government. I raised that matter on several occasions well before the Amsterdam summit. I am pleased to say that we are making progress, but, because we inherited probably the most incompetent mess that any Government 303 have ever inherited, it will take a little time. However, I think that the hon. Gent's constituents will get the deal that they need.