§ 13 Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about tourism operators in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [532]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with the First Secretary. In light of the current situation with foot and mouth disease, tourism has of course figured more prominently than ever in these discussions.
Additionally, the Under-Secretary of State represents the Wales Office on the Government's Rural Task Force, a body on which the Assembly is also represented. As a result of the work of this task force, several initiatives have been announced to assist tourism and rural industries more generally where they have been affected by foot and mouth disease.