To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2007, Official Report, column 450W, on the Institute for Animal Health: waste disposal, what discussions he had with (a) the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills and (b) the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the biosecurity of the Pirbright laboratory facility and its drainage system; and if he will make a statement. (159597)

Following the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Surrey, and the subsequent independent reviews by Professor Spratt and the Health and Safety Executive, discussions were held with the Minister for Science and Innovation in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. These discussions focussed on the outcome of those reviews and the Government’s response to them.