HC Deb 22 June 1999 vol 333 c350W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the treatment of cats at Hillgrove Farm, Oxfordshire. [87673]

Mr. George Howarth

I have received a number of letters via hon. Members and directly from members of the public; I have received a petition calling for the establishment to be closed; and I have answered a number of questions in this House on this subject.

The scientific community has also made its concerns known to me with regard to:

  1. (i) the damage that could be caused to important medical and veterinary research should the establishment close; and
  2. (ii) the increased welfare costs to cats if they have to be obtained from overseas sources.

I understand that representatives of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have visited the establishment, have seen the animals and have reviewed copies of some of the breeding records sent to them by members of the public. They have not made any formal representations to me on this issue.