HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 c235WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to carry out an inquiry into the origins and development of the present outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [HL556]

Lord Whitty

The Prime Minister has said that there will be an inquiry and that we will publish the results. He emphasised the importance of conducting the inquiry quickly but also said that it would be better to have an inquiry after we have eradicated the disease. The nature and timing of an inquiry is one for the Prime Minister. In any event it is likely that the Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Public Accounts Committee and possibly others will launch their own inquiries.