§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What matters are at present being studied or considered by the Advisory Committee on Animal Experiments, and what is their anticipated programme of work for 1981.
§ Lord BELSTEADThe advisory committee is studying the framework of legislation to modernise and improve the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, with particular reference to recent proposals before both Houses of Parliament and to the present work in the Council of Europe on the preparation of a European convention. In addition, it advises on individual applications for authority under the Act2250WA to perform experiments involving stress or giving rise to other especially difficult issues. Its further programme of work will be a matter for consideration when the committee's present substantial remit is coming to an end.