§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what instructions and advice are issued by the Medical Research Council on the use of live animals in experiments.
§ Mr. OakesThe Council's Establishment Code urges that their staff should (i) observe scrupulously the requirements of the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876); (ii) give full weight to the consideration that anyone who makes use of animals in research incurs a moral responsibility to justify his action and a duty to limit pain and give proper care; (iii) use, wherever possible, procedures which do not involve animals or, where this is not possible, use the minimum number of animals that will give valid results in any experiment; (iv) publish in the scientific literature information about any alternatives which they may develop.
183WStaff are periodically reminded of these provisions.
Similar exhortations are now being addressed to those preparing applications to the Council for research grants and to those holding them.