5. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Home Secretary how many vivisection licences are in force and the number issued in each class?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS1,059 licences are in force. Only one class of licence is issued, but if my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the different classes of certificates which are required for the performance of certain kinds of experiments, may I refer him for the information to the annual Home Office return, which was issued in the summer, and in which he will find full particulars.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether any reports have to be made when anything is done by any of the people to whom licences are granted?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the hon. Gentleman will accept the same answer as I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend, he will find full discussion of this matter in the Home Office report issued this summer.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs there any indication in the returns as to where the people get the dogs from, and whether they are stolen or not?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is no indication.
6. Captain EVANSasked the Home Secretary on what dates during the last five years the University College laboratory was inspected, and on how many of these occasions inspection was without notice?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSSince 1st January, 1922, the University College medical and scientific departments have been inspected on 35 occasions—in 30 instances without notice and in five with notice.
Captain EVANSIs it a fact that there are only two inspectors for the whole of Great Britain? That being so, does he not think that the inspection which it is desirable to have under this Act should be increased, and would he consider increasing the number of inspectors?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is a very strong tendency against such increases. One laboratory was visited 35 times in the last 18 months and 30 times without notice, which shows that the inspectors are doing their work very well.