§ Earl Peelasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they received the report Rural Recovery after Foot-and-Mouth Disease, published on 18 October, from the Rural Recovery Co-ordinator, Lord Haskins; and [HL906]
Why, given that the report Rural Recovery after Foot-and-Mouth Disease from the Rural Recovery Co-ordinator, Lord Haskins, is dated 2 October, it was not made available to the House on 17 October for the debate on the countryside and rural recovery, a subject listed for debate on that day on the Order Paper since 19 July; and [HL907]
Whether any Minister, special adviser or official of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was responsible for, or involved in, the briefing given to the press on Wednesday 17 October about the content of the report, Rural Recovery after Foot-and-Mouth Disease, published on 18 October, from the Rural Recovery Co-ordinator, Lord Haskins; and [HL908]
Whether any Ministers or their special advisers were involved in any discussions with the Government's Rural Recovery Co-ordinator, Lord Haskins, or his staff about the timing of the release of his report on a strategy for rural revival. [HL909]
97WA
§ Lord WhittyMy noble friend Lord Haskins delivered a near-final draft of his report to my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Mr Alun Michael) on 2 October; however, my noble friend Lord Haskins made a number of amendments to it after that date following meetings with the regional development agencies and others.
The planned date of publication, 18 October, was chosen as the earliest practical date when my noble friend Lord Haskins could launch his report and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State was available to respond to it in another place. It is normal for Ministers or their special advisers to play a role in the sensible and orderly scheduling of government business, and discussions were held with my noble friend Lord Haskins on that basis. Briefing to the press on 17 October was confined to forewarning them of the timing of publication of the report of my noble friend Lord Haskins.