Vince Cable

Vincent Cable, MP, joined local bee keepers at the apiary in Twickenham this week. Complete with protective gear, to inspect the hives - watched by BBC Television.

He is backing a campaign to stop cuts in bee research and inspection. According to bee campaigners cuts of £25,000 will put at risk £120m of agriculture - the growing of apples, pear, cherries and rapeseed which depend on bee pollination.

Vincent Cable was attacked in parliament several years ago by Tony Blair for campaigning against cuts in bee research (Blair did not appear to understand the role which bees perform in nature).

He has now taken up the issue again after the government has decided to press ahead with further cuts "which will increase the risk of widespread disease wiping out bee colonies and the important role they perform".