§ Mr. Viantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent despatch from Eire to Cambridge University Physiological Department of eight cats in an orange box, five being so badly injured during transit under such conditions that they had to be destroyed; and whether he will impress upon licensees 173W under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, the importance of guarding against suffering to laboratory animals, apart from that permitted during actual experiments.
§ Mr. EdeI understand that the dealer who was responsible for the despatch of these animals was prosecuted in Eire and174W convicted. I am in full agreement with my hon. Friend as to the need for a proper standard of care for animals acquired for laboratory purposes, and the importance of this is well recognised by those who hold licences under the Act of 1876 and by the Home Office inspectors.