Michael Fabricant has today called for an immediate stop to the delivery of Census Forms in rural areas hit by foot and mouth disease. Constituents of his in Gentleshaw (a village within a mile or so of the cremation pyre just ignited at Longdon near Lichfield) have reported people "wandering over farms and fields delivering census forms". This must be happening all over the country.

"This is dangerous and reckless" says Michael Fabricant. "If the Prime Minister can make the constitutional decision to delay the election, albeit only for a month, he can put a halt to the census at least until the foot and mouth crisis is over. Failing that, he should arrange for census forms to be delivered by post in areas at risk.

"I have contacted both MAFF and the Home Office today and tabled Parliamentary Questions to see whether an immediate stop can be put to the hand delivery of census forms. It is typical once again of this Government that the countryside is put in jeopardy by pen-pushers in London".