HC Deb 01 June 1961 vol 641 c406
19. Mr. P. Browne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits by inspectors were carried out during the year 1960 under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876; and how many people held licences to experiment on animals during that period.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

During 1960 the inspectors made 1,506 visits to the 528 places registered for experiments under the Act; 6,872 people held licences, but of these 1,989 performed no experiments during the year.

Mr. Browne

Does my right hon. Friend consider that five inspectors are sufficient to carry out this work in view of the fact that, I understand, more than 3 million separate experiments were carried out in 1960?

Mr. Vosper

My right hon. Friend has just authorised the appointment of an additional inspector. The purpose of the inspectorate is not to supervise each and every experiment, but to ensure that those who carry out the experiments understand their responsibilities. This, I believe, has in fact happened.