§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many companies in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley are awaiting payment for work carried out during the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease; how much is outstanding in each case; and what the timescale is for resolution of outstanding payments. [153382]
§ Mr. BradshawI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-Super-mare (Brian Cotter) on 6 January 2004,Official Report, column 261W.
The Department is in dispute with three contractors in Lancashire over charges arising, or which are claimed to have arisen, from the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak. One of these contractors is based in Chorley.
It would be inappropriate to comment on cases that are the subject of ongoing Court proceedings. Similarly, public comment cannot be made on civil cases that are pending.
Timescales for resolution of disputes are subject to judicial timescales and the willingness, or otherwise, of contractors to engage in alternative disputes resolution procedures.