§ 32. Sir John Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that any legislation on scientific procedures on living animals will take into account the draft convention of the Council of Europe on this subject, notwithstanding that this convention may not be agreed by Council of Europe Ministers and available for signature before such legislation is introduced.
§ Mr. MellorYes. The legislation which is being prepared to replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 will incorporate the principles embodied in the proposed European convention. A Bill will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in agreeing the Council of Europe convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes; and what are the arrangements for ratification and implementation by the signatory nations.
§ Mr. MellorThe draft Council of Europe convention on the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is due to be considered by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies of the Council of Europe. If the Committee recommends adoption of the convention, it will be opened for signature by member countries and ratification.
The legislation which is being prepared to replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 will incorporate the principles embodied in the proposed European convention. The United Kingdom would however take advantage of article 4 of the convention to enable us to impose, in our own national legislation, stricter requirements than those contained in the convention.