§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Home Secretary how many experiments were conducted last year on living animals when inspectors were present and how many in their absence; and who decides whether an animal is suffering pain when no inspector is present?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs to the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 3rd July last. With regard to the last part, each bolder of a licence is made responsible for seeing first that any animal which is suffering pain that is either severe or likely to endure is at once killed if the main object of the experiment has been attained; and, secondly, that any animal that is suffering pain both severe and likely to endure is at once killed in any case. This requirement is made a condition of the licence, and any infringement of it brought to my notice would be severely dealt with. The Home Office inspector informs me that he is satisfied that the condition is scrupulously observed by the holders of licences.
§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Home Secretary whether the Bemax laboratories, Danemere Street, London, S.W.15, is, or 499W has been at arty time during this year, a registered place for the performance of experiments on animals under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer is in the negative.