HC Deb 07 July 1997 vol 297 cc602-3
10. Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement. [5516]

Mr. George Howarth

The Government share the concerns expressed in the Kennedy committee report on xenotransplantation—the transplantation of organs from animals to humans. In relation to animals being used in scientific procedures, we will amend schedule 2 to the Act to add all genetically modified protected animals to the list of species that must be obtained from a designated source. Minor amendments will also be made to introduce in the Act some controls currently exercised through administrative measures, such as standard licence conditions.

Mr. Baker

I am pleased that the genetic engineering element is to be included in the Government's thinking. Is the Minister aware, however, that it is clear from the Government's own publication. "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals", that, in 1995, 2,709,631 experiments were carried out on animals in this country? Is he further aware that, of those experiments, 49 per cent. were simply for commercial gain? In other words, animals were exploited simply to give a profitable edge to somebody or a competitive edge to an individual company. Is that not an abomination in this country? Can we look to the new Government, first, to reduce the number of experiments dramatically, secondly, to increase the number of inspectors—there are only 18 at present—and, thirdly, to speed up the development of alternatives to animal testing?

Mr. Howarth

All the issues that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned are under consideration by the Government. He will appreciate that it is impossible to take a firm view on each of them to begin with. There are, however, two areas about which the House will be interested to know. First, we are looking to implement alternatives wherever possible, particularly with respect to primates, LD50 testing and cosmetic testing. Secondly, we will take forward welfare standards and we will pursue relevant measures across Europe rather than risking exporting animal experimentation to countries with less rigorous controls. Clearly, we share common objectives; it is a question of the means by which we can best promote those objectives. We hope in due course to be able to make an announcement that will make absolutely clear how we intend to take all those concerns forward.

Mr. Alan Clark

That really is not a satisfactory answer. Is the Minister aware that last week, I delivered a petition at Downing street with more than 100,000 signatures of people who are really concerned about the issue? It simply is not good enough for the Minister to say that he needs further time to consider the basic points, which are that many of these experiments are both repetitive and unnecessary, and are dictated simply by the motivation of commercial gain.

Mr. Howarth

We have had two months to consider complex issues. I have given a clear commitment that we intend to take forward the best possible practice. I know that the right hon. Gentleman has been out of the House for five years. He was, however, a member of a Government who, for 18 years, did nothing at all about the matter. It comes rich from him to complain in the House about lack of progress in two months, given that little happened in 18 years when his party was in office.