§ 2.58 p.m.
§ Lord Harris of GreenwichMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the recent attacks by members of the Animal Liberation Front.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that in the early hours of Sunday, 6th January, seven separate attacks were made on the homes and property of staff and former members of staff of the Wellcome Foundation, two of which involved the use of petrol bombs. These are criminal acts which caused some damage and real danger. The police are pursuing vigorously the possibility of a link between the incidents and the identification of those responsible. I am sure the House will join me in condemning crimes which will not, and should not, dissuade the Government from carrying forward their proposals for new legislation to replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 on the basis of their White Paper.
§ Lord Harris of GreenwichMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he agrees that attacks on the homes of research scientists and other people doing valuable work of this kind are unlikely to change the views of anybody on questions of animal welfare? Does he also agree that these are only part of a whole series of attacks made by that organisation on the homes of many people in various parts of the country? That being so, may I ask him whether he is taking steps with the Chief Inspector of Constabulary to ensure that everything possible is being done by all the police forces involved to co-ordinate their efforts in dealing with this serious problem?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, the noble Lord is entirely right. Actions of this kind do nothing to address the reason and everything possible to render people hostile to the cause espoused by those committing them. He is also right that great benefit has accrued to the animal 111 as well as to the human community from the researches against which such actions are directed. I can assure the noble Lord that in order to improve accessibility of information and to make provision for the increasing number of such incidents the Metropolitan Police have agreed to collate information about criminal offences committed by animal rights groups. A liaison officer, as a reference point, has been appointed in each local police authority.