HC Deb 10 May 1977 vol 931 cc453-4W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals are vivisected annually in the course of cosmetic research; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Summerskill

The number of experiments on live animals to test cosmetic products is not recorded separately in my Department, but most involve the application of substances, not vivisection. We are in the course of devising a new form to be used to collect statistical information from licensees under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 which will enable us to publish in the Annual Return of Experiments more detailed information of this kind.