Volume 11: Scientists after Southwood
3. The Tyrrell Report
Final publication

3.66 Publication of the Interim Report was announced by way of an answer to a Parliamentary Question on 9 January 1990, and publicised by a press release the same day. Mr David Maclean's ¹ written answer stated that:

The report recommends a comprehensive programme of research on the epidemiology, transmissibility and diagnosis of BSE with the aim of extending scientific knowledge about this new disease so that animal and human health can continue to be protected and the disease eventually eradicated.

The Government has considered the Report very carefully and accepts the recommendations of the Committee. A number of the projects are covered by the substantial programme of research that is already in progress, representing spending of some £1.3 million in the current financial year. Preparatory work is in hand on the other projects which the Tyrrell Committee recommended as urgent and of high priority. This represents additional funding from my Department's Votes of some £2.2 million in 1990/91 and 1991/92, and £1.7 million in 1992/93. The Secretary of State for Health is setting in hand the high priority research that is within his Department's responsibility and the Secretary of State for Education and Science is considering the advice of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on what additional allocation would be appropriate from the Science Budget to the Agricultural and Food Research Council in support of its proposed programme of research, including research on slow viruses. ²

3.67 The reference to additional funding in the written answer makes it clear that the Departments responsible for the Tyrrell research were required to make funds available from existing Votes (ie, money already voted to them by Parliament). The Treasury did not provide additional funds specifically for the research projects recommended by the Tyrrell Committee.