HC Deb 14 July 1983 vol 45 cc1001-2
10. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received urging legislation on animal welfare.

Mr. Mellor

We have received a number of representations suggesting the need to reform the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 and comments on the proposals for updating the Act contained in our recent White Paper, as well as a few proposals concerning other aspects of animal welfare.

Mr. Moate

Is my hon. Friend aware that there was widespread expectation of legislation in the previous Parliament, but that all we got was the White Paper? Is he further aware that there was great disappointment that no such proposal was included in this year's Gracious Speech? As the Home Office now has a much-reduced legislative burden because of last night's vote, will my hon. Friend give the House a clear assurance that the Government will introduce legislation on this matter during the next Session of Parliament?

Mr. Mellor

During the previous Parliament considerable progress was made. There was agreement on the Council of Europe convention on animal experimentation. Many of the animal experiments carried out in Britain depend upon the export trade, so we must have common standards in the Western world. That was a major step forward. The Department's advisory committee reported on standards in Britain, which enabled us to bring forward a White Paper dealing with the difficult question of drawing a fair balance between those who must carry out these experiments and those who are concerned for animals. After considering the responses to the White Paper, we hope to introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits.

Mr. Corbett

Does the Minister accept that the majority of the experiments carried out on animals are for purely flippant, literally cosmetic reasons? Will he give an undertaking that within this parliamentary Session, which ends a year next November, legislation will be brought forward to restrict and confine these experiments to serious scientific purposes?

Mr. Mellor

It is all very fine for the hon. Gentleman to say that experiments are carried out for flippant reasons, but there is no reason to believe that that is true. On the contrary, the present system, with a Home Office inspectorate, has led to a decline in the number of experiments. If the hon. Gentleman takes the trouble to read the White Paper he will see that it represents a real step forward in the protection of animals, while ensuring the protection of the public through necessary experiments. I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman believes that the public do not need protection against dangerous products.

Miss Fookes

May I tell my hon. Friend that I am tired of making excuses to constituents and others for the snaillike progress of the past four years? What guarantee can my hon. Friend give that there will be better progress this time?

Mr. Mellor

We have published the White Paper, and representations on it will be received by the middle of August. The Government will then prepare legislation. I cannot say when it will be introduced, but I believe that it should be introduced as soon as possible.