HC Deb 25 May 1999 vol 332 cc110-1W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the BSE Inquiry. [85506]

Mr. Nick Brown

The BSE Inquiry was originally intended to report on 31 December 1998. At the request of the Inquiry, my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham), the previous Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, announced on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 3, that the original terms of reference would be revised to allow the Inquiry until 30 June 1999 to report. The Inquiry has now requested a further extension and, following discussions with the Committee about the time needed to complete their task, the Government have agreed that the Report shall be delivered by 31 March 2000.