§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East, Official Report, 2nd December, columns 451–2, on experiments on animals, it is departmental practice to treat experiments such as those for the testing of cosmetics, toiletries, tooth-pastes, household detergents, floor polishes, and non-nutrient food dyes and flavourings as being performed with a view to thz advancement of new discovery of physiological knowledge or of knowledge which will be useful for saving or prolonging life or alleviating suffering.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesSuch experiments are allowed only to the extent that they appear to the Department to satisfy the statutory requirements; for example, by helping to prevent the distribution of products which might otherwise be harmful.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he had on the character of experiments on animals using LD 50 before licensing establishments which carry out such experiments.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesPlaces are registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 for the performance of experiments, after examination by a member of the Cruelty to Animals Inspectorate, having regard to the range of experimental techniques likely to be used.
Control over the particular experiments, which vary widely in their nature, is exercised through the licensing of individuals 514W rather than through the registration of places.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the number of animals used in experiments which have been imported.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNone.