§ 31. Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will appoint a commission to study and publicise methods of research which obviate the need for the use of living animals in experiments, with a view to bringing about a substantial early reduction in the number of live animal experiments.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BoothIs the right hon. Lady aware that there is considerable evidence to show that cell and culture tissue tests can be more effective, more reliable and cheaper than tests done on live animals? Will she appoint a commission to study this, instead of continuing the present practice of testing on live animals when this is believed to be unnecessary?
§ Mrs. ThatcherWhere there is a suitable alternative available, most scientists are very anxious to use it. However, there are a number of cases in which, I believe rightly, new drugs are properly screened on animals before being tested on human beings. We debated this matter quite fully in an Adjournment debate on 31st March.
§ Mr. John WellsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the use of the phrase "live animals" in connection with experiments conjures up so many emotive views that it might be better for her to appoint the sort of commission the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) suggested? It would, among other things, be able to point out that many so-called experiments on live animals are concerned with nutritional and other matters which cause the animals no discomfort whatever, and that might clear a great deal of air.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Littlewood Report had certain things to say about experiments on live animals and I quoted some of them in the Adjournment debate to which I referred.