§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 451W, and letter from the Chief Executive of DERA, dated 22 July 1998, what factors have led to changes in numbers of procedures on animals at Porton Down since 1993; and if he will make a statement. [118582]
§ Dr. MoonieThe variations in the number of procedures returned annually to the Home Office by Dstl Porton Down in the years 1993 to 2002 reflects the changes in the research programme as determined by the requirements of the Ministry of Defence.
Over the last nine years the increase in the overall number of animal procedures returned is mainly accounted for by the increase in the number of mice used. This is a direct result of an increased emphasis on research to develop effective vaccines and other medical countermeasures against biological agents. The programme is progressing well. One new vaccine is already in clinical trails and another is expected to start trials later this year.