§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences were granted for LD50 tests in each of the last four years. [117851]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienSince 1995, 14 licences have been issued authorising the LD50 (Organisation for European Co-Operation and Development Guideline 401) test as shown:
- 1995: 3
- 1996: 3
- 1997: 3
- 1998: 4
- 1999: 1
In my reply of 4 April 2000, Official Report, column 437W, I reported that 12 of these licences have now been varied to remove authority for the LD50 (Guideline 401) test and that the remaining two licences were the subject of representations from the licence holders under section 12 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. I understand that the holders of these two licences have now agreed to withdraw their representations and to submit their licences for removal of authority for the LD50 test. This action will be completed shortly.
No licences authorising the test have been issued this year and we will no longer grant new licences for the test.