§ Major Bruceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will furnish figures showing, as at 30th September, 1948, the numbers of men and women employed in the Royal Dockyard at Portsmouth, distinguishing between established and non-established personnel; and whether he will state the intakes and discharges for the six months from 28th March, 1948.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe numbers employed on 30th September, 1948, together with entries and discharges during the period 28th March to 30th September. 1948, are as follow:
warfare; and whether he will give an assurance that any animals to be used for this purpose will have to suffer no cruelty
Mr. DugdaleIt is not in the public interest to give details of experimental work which may be carried out to meet defence requirements. In so far as 191W animals may at any time be involved in such experimental work, the safeguards of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, would be applied.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement with regard to the vessels which are now being equipped to carry out certain experiments with atomic and other new weapons; what animals, and how many of them, are being used in this connection; is he satisfied that their participation is essential; and what steps will be taken to prevent undue cruelty.
Mr. DugdaleI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mrs. Manning).