§ 27. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Littlewood Committee.
§ 14. Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the lack of action in connection with the Littlewood Report, if he will now introduce legislation to implement the Report's recommendations.
§ 28. Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to implement the recommendations of the Littlewood Committee on Experiments on Animals.
§ 29. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Littlewood Committee.
§ 30. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Littlewood Committee on experiments on animals.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI am not in a position to add to the reply given on 7th November to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell.—[Vol. 772, c. 138.]
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWhy are the Government dragging their feet with regard to implementing the recommendations of this Committee? How can they be satisfied with the present conditions?
§ Mr. ReesIt is not a question of dragging feet. Since the receipt of the Report a large number of organisations have had to be consulted. There are also wider aspects involved in this Report. As the last legislation was nearly 100 years ago, it is important to try to secure that any legislation arising on this Report is capable of lasting for another 100 years.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that there are millions of animal lovers throughout the country who want speedy implementation of this Report, many of them in my constituency? Will he find time for legislation by persuading his colleagues in the Government to drop some of their more pernicious proposals, such as the proposal for the reform of the House of Lords and facilitating the passage of the equally pernicious Divorce Reform Bill?
§ Mr. ReesVarious legislation is supported in different parts of the House. Most of us see the need for improvement in this respect. The Government will act as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GoodhewIs not the Minister aware that there is grave concern and strong feelings about this matter? The Report has been lying on the table a long time. As the Government are finding time for all sorts of Measures, even in the middle of the night—or perhaps we shall have them in the morning; we do not know—cannot they find time for this?
§ Mr. ReesI agree that there are strong feelings. There are equally strong feelings in many quarters as to whether fox hunting should be allowed.
§ Mr. WhitakerCan I add all-party support to my constituent the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas)? Does not my hon. Friend feel that public men may in future be very reluctant to give up their time to sitting on public committees if years pass before non-controversial findings are implemented?
§ Mr. ReesThere are wider aspects to this matter than those dealt with in the Report. I am aware of the feeling which is raised on this matter.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of those replies, I will raise the matter again.