§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the conclusions of the Rural Task Force. [16529]
§ Alun MichaelWe are currently considering all the conclusions of the Rural Task Force's report. Several of the recommendations have been acted upon, not least through the provision of an additional £24 million to extend the work of the Business Recovery Fund announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 October.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date it was planned for the Rural Task Force to be wound up. [16528]
§ Alun MichaelThere has never been a fixed date for the Rural Task Force to be wound up: it will remain in being for as long as there is a need, and for as long as it can make a useful contribution towards kick-starting the rural economy following foot and mouth disease. The Task Force met last week and members made excellent and practical contributions from a variety of perspectives on ways in which the recovery of the rural economy can be assisted.