HC Deb 31 December 1916 vol 88 cc1617-9
60. Sir G. GREENWOOD

asked the Home Secretary whether the two alien enemies whose names appear in the Annual Returns for 1915 as holding licences to per form experiments upon living animals have now been interned; and, if so, at what date; and, if not, whether they still hold such licences?

Sir G. CAVE

One of the two persons mentioned left the country in April, 1915, and his licence was revoked. The other, who is of Polish birth, was exempted from internment on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and still holds a licence under the Act.

61. Sir G. GREENWOOD

asked whether the Germans, said to have been naturalized in this country, whose names appear in the Annual Returns for 1915 as holding licences to perform experiments upon living animals still hold such licences; and, if so, what certificates, if any, do they respectively hold?

Sir G. CAVE

Two licences are now held by persons of German origin naturalised in this country. One of them has an Certificate and the other two A certificates and an E.

62. Sir G. GREENWOOD

asked whether the sixteen Japanese nationals whose names appear in the Annual Returns for 1915 as holding licences to perform experiments upon living animals, or any of them, still hold such licences; if so, what certificates, if any, do they respectively hold; and whether he will consider the desirability of confining such licences to British citizens?

Sir G. CAVE

Of the sixteen Japanese subjects mentioned thirteen have given up their licences, having completed their experiments. Of the remaining three, one holds no certificates, one holds certificate A only, and the third (a staff-surgeon of the Japanese Navy) holds two A certificates, two B certificates, one E, and one EE. I am not aware of any grounds for altering the established practice with regard to the grant of licences to other than British subjects on special conditions. I may point out that this matter was considered by the Royal Commission, who expressed approval of the arrangements adopted by the Home Office in regard to it (Section 121 of Report).

Mr. BUTCHER

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is not advisable to withhold from alien enemies these licences?

Sir G. CAVE

None of them are held by enemies.