§ Mr. G. WHITEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can inform the House what grants were made in the year 1923 by the Development Fund Commission to private persons and institutions for research into animal diseases; and whether, in view of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, he will consider the advisability of increasing the grants so as to enhance the scope of such research?
§ Mr. BUXTONApproximately £60,000 was allocated to the Ministry from the Development Fund during the current financial year for research into animal diseases. I should, however, explain that grants are made only to recognised 1325W research institutes and not to private individuals. With regard to the second part, the question of the scientific investigation of foot-and-mouth disease is to be considered by a small committee of scientific men, and I propose to defer my decision as to further research until this committee has reported.