INDICATIONS by Agriculture Minister, Elliot Morley, that the Government might consider commissioning an independent body to review the Throckmorton carcase burial site have been welcomed by mid Worcestershire MP, Peter Luff.

Mr Luff said that although the Minister's response to his correspondence fell short of his demand that the Government buy the properties of families living closest to the site, it did show Government acceptance there was a problem.

The mid-Worcestershire MP had written a series of letters to Mr Morley, highlighting concerns over the collapse of the housing market in the area and fears about health and environmental issues arising out of the foot and mouth disease burial site.

In a letter to Mr Luff, Mr Elliot said: "... we do want to help the residents in terms of presentation and publicity and to address issues and concerns that may be influential with those thinking of moving to the village.

"I have asked for work to go ahead to prepare an explanatory booklet about the Defra site and to answer the obvious questions about it. I am also considering commissioning an outside, independent body to review the site, so that we may be able to draw on a further authoritative assessment of any environmental and health factors."

Mr Luff welcomed the letter, saying: "It shows the Government knows they have created a real problem at Throckmorton and are now taking a step in the right direction."

He added, however: "This falls well short of my continuing demand that the Government should buy the properties of the families closest to the site. Many of them have had their lives ruined because they simply cannot move to where they have to be for family or professional reasons as they cannot sell their homes.

"But it does show that the Government accepts there is a problem. I welcome the well-meaning attempt to restore confidence in the local property market, although the proposed asylum centre is an additional and unwelcome complication.

"And I also welcome the possibility that an independent assessment may be made of the environmental and health issues. I believe this shows the Government concedes that there may be problems associated with the site.

"It will be crucial the local community is involved in the selection of the expert contractor and fully consulted during the investigations - if this is done, it could provide a ray of hope for local people that their fears and personal difficulties will be addressed."