asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science if he will make a statement about the progress of the research programme under the Director of the Meat Research Institute.

Research on meat is proceeding, satisfactorily at the Low Temperature Research Station of the Agricultural Research Council. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the latest available Report.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that the quality of meat and improvement of its production is of the greatest importance to our farming industry, particularly in Aberdeenshire? What are the practical ways in which this Institute relates its scientific knowledge to areas of high quality beef production?

I think the answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is, yes. I would require notice of any question relating to this particular research programme.