HL Deb 06 May 1986 vol 474 cc593-4

7 Clause 10, page 8, line 36, at end insert— ("(5A) The conditions of a certificate issued under section 6 or 7 above shall include conditions requiring the holder of the certificate—

  1. (a) to secure that a person competent to kill animals in the manner specified by conditions imposed in accordance with subsection (5) above will be available to do so; and
  2. (b) to keep records as respects the source and disposal of and otherwise relating to the animals kept at the establishment for experimental or other scientific purposes or, as the case may be, bred or kept for breeding there or kept there for the purposes of being supplied for use in regulated procedures.").

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 7.

This amendment achieves two purposes, and both the provisions contained in the new subsection it introduces into Clause 10 will, I believe, be welcomed by your Lordships. The first matter is dealt with in paragraph (a) of the new subsection. This places a requirement on all establishments designated under the Bill, whether they keep animals for breeding or supply, or for use in procedures, to have available a person competent to kill any surplus animals In the manner specified in the certificate conditions for use at the establishment concerned as provided for in the existing Clause 10(5).

The killing of animals in the course of, or at the end of, a series of procedures is already tightly control led in the Bill through the provisions in Clauses 2(7), 6(6) and 15(1) and through the amended Schedule 1 which we shall consider shortly. This new provision introduces a necessary additional safeguard in relation to the killing of animals not so used. The provision of adequate controls on the killing of all animals in designated establishments was a matter raised by several noble Lords in earlier debates, including the noble Lord, Lord Melchett, and the noble Lord, Lord Beaumont of Whitley. It is a matter the Government are very concerned should be properly dealt with, and this amendment sets the seal on the comprehensive arrangements to which I have already referred.

The second matter dealt with in this amendment is the keeping of records. Paragraph (b) of the new subsection (5A) in Clause 10 requires all designated establishments to be subject to a condition obliging them to maintain records of the source and disposal of all animals in their care, as well as other matters. In the case of scientific procedure establishments, for example, records of all procedures carried out on a particular animal must be scrupulously maintained. It is most important that the Secretary of State, through his inspectors, should have access to detailed records of this kind, and they will be an essential aid to ensuring that the requirements of the law and of licence and certificate conditions are adhered to, particularly as respects the source of animals which is a matter of such concern. I commend the amendment to the House. I beg to move.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.—(Viscount Davidson.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.