To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-25442 by Lewis Macdonald on 8 May 2006, in what way the research strategy implemented by the Medical Research Council (MRC) in 2003 “encourages” a programme of specifically clinical research into the link between bowel disease and autism and what evidence of success can be demonstrated in this regard and, given that the MRC and Chief Scientist Office do not operate by commissioning research to address specific questions, what strategy the Executive has in place to encourage research into novel and innovative approaches to neurological problems in children that have been regarded as solely genetic in origin but may be caused by environmental factors such as heavy metal toxicity.