HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc661-2W
18. Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister regarding compensation for non-farm enterprises affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [154356]

Dr. Reid

I have discussed a range of issues relating to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and with Northern Ireland Ministers, including the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Northern Ireland Executive is fully involved in the Government's Rural Task Force, which has been set up to consider the wider economic impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak. The Minister for the Environment announced a package of measures on 20 March and the Executive will be considering how that package will apply in Northern Ireland.