§ Mr. Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is contemplating to institute further research 1810W into the causes and prevention of mastitis in dairy cattle, in view of the strong representations made by the Ayrshire Cattle Herd Book Society?
Mr. JohnstonI have carefully considered the representations referred to by my hon. Friend. As was explained in reply to the hon. Members for Renfrew (Major Lloyd) and Springburn (Mrs. Hardie) on 6th April, research into cattle diseases is being carried on at various centres in Scotland and elsewhere under the general guidance of the Agricultural Research Council, working in Scotland in association with the Scottish Board of Research in Veterinary Science. The work is being most actively pursued, and as close co-ordination of research is essential the establishment of a separate Scots organisation would not appear to be an improvement on the existing arrangements. Special Scots points will not be overlooked, inasmuch as Scotland is represented on the Agricultural Research Council; while the Scottish Board of Research in Veterinary Science, as mentioned in the reply of 6th April, includes eight science professors in Scots universities and six leading members of the veterinary profession in Scotland.