Remembering green belt gaffe

Congratulations to Rosie Duffield MP on her appointment to the House of Commons’ Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [Gazette, Feb 6]. As Ms Duffield points out the committees role is to scrutinize the government’s work in this area and to examine DEFRA’S expenditure, administration and policy. Sadly for Rosie she will not experience the joy of questioning John Prescott in her new role. When John Prescott held the office of Environment Secretary in the Blair government he was challenged about serious problems he was having over his approach to preserving (or failing to preserve) the green belt. He vigorously denied the charge and went on to proclaim: “The green belt is a great achievement, and this government is going to build on it!”

Nice one John, and thanks for the memory. Michael Clark Meadow Close, Bridge