Mr Hague also suggested that student and retired vets could be deployed to help fight the crisis, as had happened in the 1967. The prime minister replied that students, who were close to qualifying, were already being used. Statement due A statement on the crisis is to be delivered by Agriculture Minister Nick Brown in the Commons on Thursday. Among the new measures that the government is introducing is a limited deployment of the army. As the number of animals destined for slaughter escalates, more personnel will be required to deal with the disposal of the carcasses, which is one area where the military could help, said Mr Blair.
Hotels are facing closure as bookings are cancelled, some rural tourist attractions face bankruptcy.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy urged the government to consider giving relief on tax and national insurance for affected businesses. We also then, once the outbreak is dealt with, have to look and see how we can move the industry forward and get it recovered as quickly as possible. Later, Culture Secretary Chris Smith, who is also responsible for tourism, said the cost of the epidemic could reach 250m a week if it continued into Easter and the main holiday season. Blair plays the blues Links to more UK Politics stories are at the foot of the page.