§ Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any further information regarding the causes of grass sickness; and whether he will add it to the scheduled list of diseases of animals?
Mr. W. ADAMSONI regret that I can give the hon. Member no further information on the subject of this disease than is contained in my replies to previous questions. The investigations which are being conducted by the Animal
1996W
Category. Numbers of Blind Persons. Males. Females. Total. Under Training: In Royal Glasgow Asylum for the Blind … 126 68 194 In other Institutions … … … 192 103 295 Total … … … 318 171 489 Employed in Workshops: In Royal Glasgow Asylum for the Blind … 305 79 384 In other Institutions … … … 247 116 363 Total … … … 552 195 747 Not employed but employable: Total … … … 192 109 301 Of whom stated to be capable and willing to be trained. 71 21 92 NOTE.—The Royal Glasgow Asylum for the Blind is directly under the control of a combination of Scottish local authorities. The other institutions referred to in the above table are voluntary institutions in which blind persons are trained and employed by arrangement with local authorities. Mr. MARCUS asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the representations he has recently received from the National League of the Diseases Research Association have not so far elicited any conclusive evidence as to the cause of the disease. In the view of the association, this disease is a very baffling problem, and only through intensive and prolonged investigation is a solution likely to be obtained. The question of scheduling the disease under the Diseases of Animals Acts is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.