HL Deb 08 February 1979 vol 398 cc959-60WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What form of training is given to research workers who have no know- ledge of anatomy, physiology or medicine, before they are allowed to experiment on animals.

The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Boston of Faversham)

Applicants with little biological knowledge would not normally be considered for a licence until they had worked for at least six months in a laboratory learning about the handling and use of animals. Some laboratories and at least one technical college run courses in laboratory animal science for potential licensees. The training and experience of the applicant in relation to the type of work proposed to be carried out are taken into consideration before a licence is granted. In appropriate cases a licensee is placed under the supervision of a senior licensee.