HC Deb 17 July 2002 vol 389 c317W
13. Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the foot and mouth outbreak in Wales. [67884]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I am naturally pleased that Wales has not had a confirmed case of foot and mouth since 12 August last year.

19. Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly regarding the need for a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak. [67890]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I regularly meet the First Secretary and discuss a range of farming issues.

The Government has always maintained that we will hold no public inquiry, as we want reviews carried out fully and effectively, and to uncover answers expeditiously at low cost. The review following the 1967 outbreak took 18 months. The three inquiries commissioned by the Government will consider the same issues in a much shorter time.