§ 34. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ban repetition in this country of the United States experiment in which dogs are forced to smoke cigarettes in investigations in lung cancer.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Dick Taverne)I cannot prejudge what experiments of this nature could properly be allowed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.
§ Mr. BurdenIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it has already been established in this country that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer in human beings? Therefore, is it human or feasible, or does it serve any good purpose, to prove that it also causes lung cancer in animals if they are forced to smoke cigarettes?
§ Mr. TaverneFirst, no authority has so far been given for this kind of experiment in connection with dogs. Secondly, I would not agree with the hon. Gentleman that no useful further research can be done into the causes of lung cancer.
§ Mr. RankinIf no authority has been given for the experiment, and as it is an offence to the public mind that this should be going on, cannot my hon. and learned Friend do anything to stop it?
§ Mr. TaverneIn view of the public concern which there is in cases connected with dogs, this is a matter which would almost certainly be referred to the Advisory Committee on the Workings of the Cruelty to Animals Act. That question has not yet arisen in relation to this experiment.