§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings and conferences organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155365]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 23 March 2001]There have been a very small number 01 reported occasions of which I am aware where meetings or conferences organised by my Department have had to be either cancelled or postponed owing to foot and mouth disease.
They are:
A seminar and site visit for industry to Northumbrian Water due to be held on 22 March was cancelled.One of the series of Small Business Service (SBS) Imagine events (aimed at developing Vision and Values for Business Links and partner organisations) due to take place on 8 March in Exeter was postponed.Visit by the Minister for Trade to the launch in Plymouth of the Objective Two Programme to support the economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties on Tuesday 13 March was cancelled.Sustainable Livestock Production LINK R&D Programme Management Committee meeting due to take place on 15 March was cancelled.The Small Business Council open evening due to take place in Belfast on 15 March was cancelled on the advice of the Northern Ireland Executive.