§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what regulations govern experiments on living animals conducted by his Department, or agencies for which he is responsible, or bodies which receive funds from his Department; how many officials in his Department are engaged full-time on ensuring any such regulations are observed; and how many breaches of any such regulations have been notified to his Department over each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MoyleThe relevant legislation is the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. Persons conducting experiments in the fields of my Department's responsibility or on behalf of bodies funded by my Department are subject to the Act in the normal way. The Act is administered by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Officials of my Department are not involved in its enforcement.