§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the invitation from the Country Landowners Association to speak at their November conference. [135591]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 3 November 2003]: My Diary Secretary sent an interim response to the invitation, by e-mail, to Richard Jarman, Head of CLA Public Affairs, on 29 August 2003. After further contact by telephone, a final response was sent, again by e-mail, on 29 October 2003, confirming that I was, regrettably, unable to attend, but that Alun Michael would be delighted to speak at the CLA Conference in my stead.