Tragically, cancer remains one of the leading cause [5D [K causes of death in Scotland. I want Scots to benefit from the very best res [3D [K research. The National Institute for Health and Care Research works in part [4D [K partnership with the Scottish Government to support and enhance health and [K social care research across the UK, even though healthcare is devolved. Res [3D [K Researchers in Scotland can now apply for funding, which has, for example, [K allowed the outstanding researchers at the University of Dundee to identify [8D [K identify a newer, simpler type of mammogram that can reliably show how brea [4D [K breast cancer responds to chemotherapy before surgery.

I commend my hon. Friend for his ongoing and dogged [6D [K dogged advocacy for this cause. As he will know, the UK Government are comm [4D [K committed to ensuring a partnership approach between the health services of [2D [K of Scotland and the rest of the UK, and we are focused on ensuring that hig [3D [K higher education, and other forms of innovation, are part of our work on ca [2D [K cancer.