Experiments on Primates (Hansard, 6 November 1992)

§ Mr. Aitken

This is a matter delegated to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment under its frame-work document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Letter from G. Pearson to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 6 November 1992: 1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking how many scientific procedures have been carried out on primates in laboratories under the control of his Department in each of the last 10 years (Questions 16, Order Paper 29 October 1992) has been passed to me to reply as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. 2. As information on the number of scientific procedures carried out on primates can assist a potential aggressor in assessing the current state of development of our medical countermeasures against the threat of attack by chemical or biological weapons, it is not in the national interest to provide such information. 3. It is important to consider the use of animals in scientific procedures in the context of the role and function of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment. Our role is to carry out research to ensure that the Servicemen and Servicewomen of our Armed Forces are provided with adequate protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. The United Kingdom does not possess chemical or biological weapons and all work related to such weapons ceased in the late 1950's. Nevertheless, we do have to recognise that other countries still produce and maintain considerable stocks of chemical weapons; they were possessed by Iraq during the Gulf war. It is vital that the protective measures provided for our Service personnel should have been developed and tested to ensure that they are effective and safe. Such work, which may involve the use of animals for experimental purposes is of considerable importance to the nation. 4. The number of experiments carried out in any one year at CBDE is relatively small and is less than one half of one per cent. of all animal experiments carried out in the United Kingdom. No animal experiments are carried out in order to improve weapons or ammunition or to practice surgery. 5. Animal experiments are only carried out after careful consideration has been given to alternatives. Where none are found to be an adequate substitute, it is essential to carry out some experiments involving animals; the majority involve mice, rats or guinea-pigs. It is important to select an animal that is representative of man and for some studies the marmoset or monkey is the most appropriate animal. Such studies with marmosets or primates are particularly important in evaluating a proposed new medical countermeasure prior to assessment of its acceptability in man. We have also been active in the area of environmental enrichment as this is very beneficial to the animals concerned. 6. All experiments involving the use of animals at CBDE fully meet the spirit and the letter of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. CBDE is a registered place under the Act and all experiments are done under Home Office approved project licences by staff holding a personal licence. Unannounced visits are made by the Home Office Inspectors to satisfy themselves that the requirements of the Act are met. 532W Our aim is to provide the Armed Forces with medical countermeasures that meet the same standards of safety as the drugs supplied to the public.