HL Deb 04 October 2001 vol 627 c59WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will estimate the impact on United Kingdom gross domestic product during 2001 of the current foot and mouth epidemic. [HL655]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The Government fully recognise the hardship that has been caused to agriculture and other rural industries as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Any impact on annual aggregate GDP growth is likely to be modest relative to normal fluctuations. Updated economic forecasts will be published in the Pre-Budget Report.