HC Deb 26 March 2001 vol 365 cc472-3W
20. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance his Department offers to hoteliers and bed-and-breakfast businesses which have been affected by the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153882]

Janet Anderson

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Head of the Rural Task Force announced on 20 March a preliminary package of measures to alleviate immediate financial hardship of small businesses, including tourism businesses, in rural areas. My right hon. Friend also announced that extra funding will be made available to promote rural attractions. The Rural Task Force will continue its work and we will want to consider any further Government response in the light of the latest developments.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [155359]

Mr. Chris Smith [holding answer 23 March 2001]

No meetings or conferences have been cancelled or postponed by my Department or by the Royal Parks Agency. On the contrary, Ministers and officials in my Department have held many additional meetings, particularly with representatives of the tourism and leisure sectors, to explore ways of dealing with the consequences of the foot and mouth outbreak.

28. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the effect on tourism of the foot and mouth epidemic. [153890]

Mr. Chris Smith

I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 14 March 2001,Official Report, columns 1021–36.