Mr Heath's comments came after the Rural Advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess sent his annual report on what is happening in Britain's rural areas to Gordon Brown. Mr Heath asked what happened to the report after it had been sent to the Prime Minister.
During his speech David commented on the unemployment rate of those aged between 16 and 24 in rural areas, he cited the figure 40 per cent. In Ms Harman's response she asked Mr Heath to raise housing issues with the housing minister, but she failed to answer his questions about the Prime Minister's interest in rurality.
"Time and again I have asked this government to pay greater attention to rural issues. They simply cannot continue to ignore the issues that are faced by communities such as those within Somerton and Frome."