§ 6. Mrs. Braddockasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he is aware that a fund to be known as the Lawson Tait Memorial Fund has been established and registered as a trust to find alternatives to the use of living animals in medical investigations; and, in view of the importance of research in this matter, if he will consider making a grant to this fund to assist its work.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe reply to the first part of the Question is yes sir. As to the second part, the Medical Research Council would consider on its scientific merits any detailed research programme which might be submitted to them.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is so much resentment about the rise to 3,750,000 in experiments on living animals that 1115 any opportunity or attempt to find alternatives ought to have the fullest financial support of the Government? Would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to meet a deputation in order to discuss ways and means to deal with this situation from a financial point of view?
§ Mr. FreethI should certainly be most happy to receive any deputation which the hon. Lady cared to bring to me. But I think that she must remember that the Medical Research Council exists to give grants for specific research and not to give grants to bodies which themselves make grants to other people.