§ 51. Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary how many visits to registered laboratories were paid by the two inspectors under the Act, 39 and 40 Vic., c. 77, during 1931; and what was the total number of experiments upon living animals and the number of other experiments?
Mr. STANLEYThe number of visits was 745. The number of experiments performed during the year will be given in the annual return which is in course of preparation and will, I hope, be issued shortly.
§ Mr. GROVESBefore the Recess?
§ 52. Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary what steps are taken to ensure that the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, is observed, and that students are not allowed to undertake vivisection experiments for which they do not and cannot under the Act hold a licence; and whether his Department has taken any legal steps against such students during the last five years?
Mr. STANLEYThe report prefixed to the annual return of experiments indicates the steps which are taken to secure observance of the Act. In addition the Home Office has always been able to rely upon the active co-operation of the responsible heads of laboratories, medical schools, etc., in ensuring that experiments are not performed by unauthorised persons. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative; the Home Office has had no reason to suppose that any such contravention of the Act has taken place within the period indicated.