I know that the First Minister will want to join me in welcoming today’s superb news of the provision by the new United Kingdom Labour Government of £30 million of funding for life sciences research at the University of Dundee. That research work is extraordinary and vital. It is delivering breakthroughs in the treatment of skin cancer, and there is now the prospect of the new funding advancing the fight against Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease.

The University of Dundee has been the leading life sciences university in the UK for two decades, and I know that the Parliament will want to recognise that. Does the First Minister agree that the diversity of our world-leading universities across Scotland is a vital national strength? What can he do to continue to support that work and the diversity of all our universities in conducting groundbreaking research in science?

As Mr Marra will not be surprised to hear, I am very familiar with the life sciences work of the University of Dundee. Over my parliamentary career, it has been my privilege to talk about the issue on many occasions with individuals such as Professor Mike Ferguson, who has done such superb work in developing the resources at the University of Dundee. Of course, that work has been built on very strong foundations over many years. The University of Dundee has taken a significant role in life science research over many years. It is an area of critical strength that has attracted a lot of support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government for many years. The Deputy First Minister visited those facilities in the summer. I wish the University of Dundee every success and the Government will work collaboratively to ensure that that is enhanced.