§ DR. SHIPMANTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the inspector appointed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, only witnessed the whole of one and part of eleven experiments out of the total of 14,906 performed in 1902, he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of inspectors.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) It has to be remembered that of the 14,906 experiments mentioned in the Question, 12,776 were of the character of inoculations or feeding experiments. Further, apart from the actual experiments witnessed, large numbers of the animals have been seen by the inspectors, and their condition after the initial experiment examined. I am satisfied that the inspection is sufficient to keep me fully informed as to the practical working of the Act and the observance of its provisions; but if at any time I come to the conclusion that more inspection is desirable, I shall not hesitate to endeavour to obtain the necessary increase of staff.