PETER Luff could be heading for the record books for receiving the shortest ever answer to a written Parliamentary question.

Prime Minister Tony Blair managed just seven words in reply to one inquiry by the Tory MP.

In his second response, Mr Blair did manage to stretch himself a little further though he still only managed 17 words.

Not surprisingly, Mr Luff was less than amused. He had been trying to find out why Mr Blair had not invited any rural MPs to meet him during his trip to Worcester.

He also wanted to know exactly who the Prime Minister had met, in a bid to find out if he got a true picture of the way the foot-and-mouth crisis has ravaged the county.

In response to this question, Mr Blair said: I met farming and tourism local representatives.To the first enquiry, he wrote: I went to the honourable member for Worcester's constituency (Mike Foster) and was accompanied by him throughout my visit.

Mr Luff said: I would be angry if I was not so amazed.

I was trying to make a serious point because I do not think his visit gave a true reflection of the problems which our rural communities face.

But these answers do not reveal anything which was not already known.