§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the total number of experiments on living animals, as set forth in the Return for the year 1910, has increased from 86,277 in 1909 to 95,731 in 1910, showing an increase of 9,454; how many inspectors there now are under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876; and whether he can say how many of these 95,731 experiments were actually seen by such inspectors?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; but to prevent misapprehension it may be well to point out that of the increase of 9,454 8,403 were experiments of the nature of simple inoculations, hypodermic injections and similar proceedings. There are two inspectors under the Act; 129 experiments were actually seen by them, and a very large number of animals under observation after experiment were examined.
§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODalso asked whether the statement that the irregularities mentioned on page 6 of the Return of Experiments on Living Animals during the year 1910 are the only irregularities that have occurred during that year is based on unchecked information supplied by licensed vivisectors themselves; or whether any and, if so, what 1816 means are taken to check such information and to detect and report any irregularities which may not be reported voluntarily by the persons guilty of them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe statement that only two irregularities occurred in 1910 was intended to mean that these were the only ones which are known to have occurred. This statement is not founded only on the returns and other information which licensees are required to furnish, but also on numerous inspections, on examination of laboratory books by the inspectors, and on information given to them by the heads of laboratories and others.
§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODIs it the case, then, that these irregularities were discovered by inspection of 129 experiments out of a total of 95,000?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLInspections of this, kind are by sample.