HL Deb 14 March 1876 vol 227 c2008
LORD HENNIKER

said, that he need not trouble their Lordships with more than a few words in asking the Question of which he had given Notice. He asked this Question because he knew that a large number of persons felt very strongly, as he himself did, on the subject of Vivisection. They fully appreciated the successful effort made by the Royal Commission to present their Report as early as possible, with a view to immediate legislation on the subject, and they hoped that the Government would deal with the question in the same spirit, by bringing in a Bill with the least possible delay. He begged to ask the Lord President, Whether Her Majesty's Government intend to bring in a Bill this Session to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the practice of subjecting live animals to experiments for scientific purposes?

THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON

said, the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into this subject had sat for a considerable time and taken a great amount of evidence. The Government did not in any way underrate either the importance of the evidence taken before the Commission or the very able and clear manner in which the whole question had been gone into and reported upon. He was sorry that he could not do more than give his noble Friend the assurance that the matter was under the consideration of the Government, and he was unable to say when any legislation would be attempted in regard to it. House adjourned at half past Eleven o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.