§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further examination he is making into the use of live animals in experiments to develop new smoking material at the ICI's central toxicology laboratory; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am making urgent inquiries into these experiments. When they are complete I shall write to the hon. Members who have raised the matter.
§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences have been issued for non-medical experimentation on live animals involving the risk of suffering or death.
§ Dr. SummerskillAll experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 must be performed with a view to the advancement by new discovery of physiological knowledge or of knowledge which will be useful in saving or prolonging life or alleviating suffering. Within this definition statistics on experiments are not sub-divided so that licences for "non-medical" experiments can be identified.
§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what animals may not be used for live experiments.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere is no statutory bar on the use of any particular species of animal. Special authority is necessary for experiments on cats, dogs and certain members of the horse family.
§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Home Office report, "Experiments on Living Animals 1974", did not record the use of some 200 cats for cancer research by the Veterinary School and Hospital, Glasgow, during the relevant period.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis was due to an error by the Home Office for which we apologise. I am making arrangements for a correction to the return for 1973 to be included in the return for 1974.