§ Motion made, for an Address for "Return showing the number of Experiments performed on Living Animals during the year 1899 under Licences granted under the Act 39 and 40 Vic, c. 77, distinguishing Painless from Painful Experiments (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 215, of Session 1899)."— (Mr. Jesse Callings.)
§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)said he had listened with 137 very great regret to this motion being put from the Chair at so late a period of the session. It was very necessary, if this information was to be of any use, that the motion should be made earlier in the session. A year or two ago he ventured to put himself into communication with the Home Office, and he then secured an assurance that in future the motion should be made earlier in the session. As matters now stood it would be the middle of July before the Return was in the hands of hon. Members, and it would be practically useless for all purposes of discussion. He wished strongly to protest against the habit which had grown up in recent years of presenting this Return so late in the middle of June. There was no reason why it should not be presented before Easter. Many years had elapsed since the House discussed the administration of these Acts, and a further discussion would certainly be necessary when the House was able to give its attention to less exciting matters than those which had occupied it during the whole of the present session.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. JESSE COLLINGS,) Birmingham, BordesleyAttention was given to the representations of the hon. Member, and an effort was made to forward the preparation of the Return. I may tell the hon. Member that, though the motion is late, the Return is ready for the printer, and will, I hope, be issued in a week or ten days. Next session an effort shall be made to still further meet the hon. Member's wishes.
§ Motion agreed to.