HC Deb 28 November 1938 vol 342 cc50-1W
Mr. Groves

asked the Secretary of State for War how many experiments have been performed on animals at the Porton Research Establishment and Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge, under the Chemical Warfare Medical Committee; how many animals were killed as a result during the years 1935 to 1937; and the type of animals used?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The numbers of experiments carried out on living animals at the Chemical Defence Experimental Station, Porton, during the years 1935, 1936 and 1937, were as follow:

  • 283 during the year 1935.
  • 68 during the year 1936.
  • 256 during the year 1937.

No experiments were performed on animals at the Physiological Laboratory,

Animals by Species. Number of experiments on animals. Animals killed as result of experiments. Animals painlessly destroyed after experiments.
1935. 1936. 1937. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1935. 1936. 1937.
Rabbits 144 46 91 19 3 Nil 125 43 91
Guinea-pigs 46 22 44 6 Nil 3 40 22 41
Mice 80 Nil 41 21 Nil Nil 59 Nil 41
Rats 12 Nil 45 8 Nil 9 4 Nil 36
Cats Nil Nil 4 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 4
Goats 1 Nil 7 Nil Nil 3 1 Nil 4
Horses Nil Nil 18 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
Mules Nil Nil 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil