§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the impact on rural employment levels of the current crisis in the beef industry. [22596]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Department for Education and Employment has made no estimate but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has commissioned an independent study to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of BSE across the whole UK economy and within particular regions. For those whose employment prospects may have been adversely affected, the Department for Education and Employment has a wide variety of programmes to help unemployed people find work or improve employability through education and training.