§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funding was provided for Professor Harash Narang's experiments and research into a urine test to detect BSE in cattle. [23227]
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations were carried out by his Department into the request by Harash Narang for research funding for a live test for BSE in cattle; and if he will make a statement. [23353]
§ Mrs. Browning[holding answer 28 and 29 March 1996]: Dr. Narang has not made any formal request to MAFF for research funds for work to develop a live test for BSE in cattle. Were he to make any such application it would be subject to the normal scrutiny procedures required to demonstrate that it was scientifically valid and a practical research proposal. We are in contact with Dr. Narang's sponsor, and are hoping to supply urine samples under a blind system to be agreed.