§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will have immediate inquiries made into the allegations of cruelty to animals at the Inveresk Research International, Musselburgh, Midlothian, reported in the Scottish Daily News of 16th June 1975; and whether they will make a statement.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)My right honourable friend has received a report on these allegations from one of his inspectors appointed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. He is satisfied from this that the requirements of the Act and of the conditions attached to licences issued under it, which are designed to reduce any pain involved to a minimum, have been fully observed in the course of these experiments.