§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many speakers from the private sector will address the Rural Affairs Forum's Conference on Rural Regeneration. [135592]
§ Alun MichaelThe purpose of the Rural Affairs Conference is to enable people from every sector of rural interest to engage in a wide-ranging discussion of issues affecting rural communities and to advise the Government. The value of the Conference will derive largely from the discussion and debate among a number of people including Ministers and those with academic, business and public sector expertise. Professor Peter Midmore will offer his perspective on the changing countryside in the 21st century, while breakout groups will involve business representatives and will be led by 423W people including a representative of the Country, Land and Business Association and representative from Co-operatives UK.