§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that organs from more than 10,000 animals annually are dissected, weighed, examined and preserved for future reference at the Huntingdon Research Centre, and whether they can say how many of these animals were used in connection with tests on slimming aids, food additives, pesticides, weed-killers, and for cancer research.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, animals are, or have been, used at the centre for the purposes mentioned, but my right honourable friend does not collect information on the number of animals used in experiments. Nor do the provisions of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 make it necessary for him to have information about what happens to such animals, if they are put down.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, has the attention of my noble friend been drawn to the Report of the Littlewood Committee which was issued 767 exactly 10 years ago, in which recommendations were made for more information to be made available about these experiments? Will he represent to his right honourable friend that closer consideration should now be given to those recommendations, so that the public may know more of what is going on in these research establishments? Is my noble friend aware, for example, that in the Huntingdon Research Centre some animals were poisoned by having put into them sodium chlorate, which is a weed killer? That kind of experiment does, I think, call for some questions.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I am much obliged to my noble friend and I will certainly convey to my right honourable friend what he has said. 1 pointed out to your Lordships recently that my right honourable friend had set up an advisory committee in respect of such matters as this, and I shall ask my right honourable friend whether this is a matter that could also be referred to the advisory committee.
§ Lord PANNELLMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that ever since the Littlewood Committee reported, the Government Departments—of whatever political complexion—have maintained a quite somnolent attitude towards the findings? Does he realise that of this Minister, and of this Government, we expect something better?
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, as I think I set up the Littlewood Committee, could the noble Lord tell the House, or write to me later, about the present state of play of the Report? How many of the recommendations remain to be implemented, and is it the intention of the Government to do anything about any of them?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I shall make inquiries and I should be very happy to write to the noble and learned Lord on this matter.
§ Lord BROOKE of CUMNORMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it was I and not my noble and learned friend who set up the Littlewood Committee?
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, what my 768 noble friend below the Gangway says shows what tricks one's memory plays. However, I am still interested in this matter.