§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which interested parties received an invitation to contribute to the consultation on the future of fox hunting; which of those bodies she(a) has met and (b) plans to meet before the consultation finishes; and if she will make a statement. [64362]
§ Margaret BeckettMy right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) continues to meet with representatives of the three main interest organisations on a regular basis. They are the Countryside Alliance, the Middle Way Group and the Campaign for the Protection of the Hunted Animal. In addition to these regular meetings, he is holding a number of meetings with a wide range of groups with more specific interests
Following my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 21 March, he has written to all Members of both Houses of Parliament, Welsh Assembly members, interested individuals and interested organisations.