HC Deb 20 June 1974 vol 875 cc216-7W
44. Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present complement of inspectors now engaged in enforcing the regulations on the use of live animals for experiments; and how far short this is of the full establishment.

Dr. Summerskill

The inspectorate under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 is currently at its full establishment of 14.

Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds and for what purpose he licensed the recent experiment in which over a two-month testing of 60 rats six were found to prefer alcohol to water.

Dr. Summerskill

My right hon. Friend did not issue a licence for this experiment which was carried out in Finland.