§ 22. Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to safeguard animals exported for research purposes; and what records are now available of animals exported for research purposes.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe protection of animals overseas is a matter for the appropriate foreign authority. I have no evidence that safeguards are needed here for experimental animals destined for export. No records are maintained showing separately animals sent abroad for research purposes.
52. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments on live animals were carried out during the most recent annual period for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures in 1958; and how many inspectors employed under section 10 of the Cruelty to Animals Act were in post in each of these years.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIn 1967, 4,755,680 experiments were performed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876. 10 inspectors were in post. The corresponding figures for 1958 were 3,245,990 and 5.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the law so as to provide stricter conditions regarding the licensing of persons supplying animals for vivisection, and to ensure that records of the sources from which such animals are obtained are kept by the factors and are open to inspection by the police or Home Office officials.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe question of statutory control over the supply of animals for research purposes is being kept under review together with the other recommendations made by the Littlewood Committee.