Oral Answers to Questions

Roger Williams Excerpts
Thursday 26th April 2012

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Spelman Portrait Mrs Spelman
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Obviously, I cannot tell the hon. Lady what is in the Queen’s Speech, but I invite her to look at the body language of the Deputy Leader of the House as a clear steer that she will not be disappointed.

Roger Williams Portrait Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD)
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The farming community are very worried about the outbreak of the Schmallenberg virus. Will the Secretary of State tell us whether pan-European work will be done to produce a vaccine against this terrible disease?

Caroline Spelman Portrait Mrs Spelman
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We are working on a co-operative basis with the other member states that have been affected. One of the lessons from the successful tackling of blue tongue for the farming industry and the vaccination industry is the viability of such a vaccine. It would take several years to produce such a vaccine as it is a new virus and still requires a lot of science to make sure that we make the right decision. I give my hon. Friend the absolute assurance that, with the quality of our scientific base added to that of other member states, no stone will be left unturned.