§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those measures taken by his Department designed to protect animals used in laboratory experiments since May 1979.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. Friend made arrangements in September 1979 for the recommendations in the report of the advisory committee on the administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 on the experimental procedure known as the lethal dose—LD—50 test to be sent to the responsible authorities at all places registered under the 1876 Act and requested that they be drawn to the attention of all licensees under the Act. The report's recommendation that primates should be made subject to the same safeguards as those afforded to dogs, cats and equidae was notified individually to licensees later in 1979. In consultation with other Departments, detailed guidelines on the performance of the LD50 test are in the process of preparation.
Experiments continue to be closely controlled by my right. hon. Friend's licensing powers under the Act and by his inspectors. The legislation is under review, and an announcement will be made shortly.