HC Deb 11 May 1977 vol 931 cc500-1W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 18,428 persons, licensed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 to perform experiments, have medical qualifications.

Dr. Summerskill

This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the 5,379,084 experiments performed during 1975 under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 were performed in hospitals;

(2) how many of the 5,379,084 experiments performed during 1975 under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 were performed in universities;

(3) how many of the 5,379,084 experiments performed during 1975 under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 were performed in medical schools.

Dr. Summerskill

Records are not maintained in a way which would enable figures to be given in the form requested, and it will be appreciated that hospitals, universities and medical schools are not always separate. The best estimate I can offer is that approximately 438,000 experiments were performed in hospitals—including units of the Medical Research Council—and 814,000 in universities. The figure for medical schools is included in these totals, in which there is an element of double counting.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name the 65 registered premises where over 90 per cent. of all experiments were performed in 1975, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Jenkins) on 22nd November 1976; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Summerskill

No, but I shall write to my hon. Friend.