§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a detailed analysis of the 81,331 experiments performed on living animals in the 1977 statistics.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo further analysis of these 81,331 experiments is possible beyond that shown in table 13 of "Experiments on living animals Statistics 1977," Cmnd. 7333. These experiments were carried out by licensees whose licences were revoked during 1977 and who reported in less detail before the introduction of the new form in December 1977.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list, by name and address, the laboratories which tested tobacco and its substitutes on 15,170 live animals during 1977.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt is not the practice to disclose information about experimentation at particular establishments. As explained in "Experiments on living animals: Statistics 1977"—Cmnd. 7333—licensees submitted their returns under the assurance that information would not be published in any way which would prejudice commercial or academic confidentiality.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has on the suppliers of the 14,119 dogs subjected to experiments under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, distinguishing between those purchased 140W From voluntary licensed dealers, unlicensed dealers and those bred by research establishments for experimental purposes.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the minimum qualifications of the holders of the 291 licences issued to people to carry out experiments on live animals in polytechnics during 1977; and whether he will list the polytechnics where such experiments are carried out.
§ Dr. SummerskillAny applicant for a licence under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 must be recommended by the president of a learned society and also by a professor of a branch of medical science, unless he himself is such a professor, and must satisfy the Home Office on the advice of the Cruelty to Animals Inspectorate whose members all hold medical or veterinary qualifications as to his competence to hold a licence. Each case is considered on its merits; there is no prescribed list of minimum qualifications, but the applicant's qualifications and experience are taken into account. Where appropriate, conditions as to supervision are attached to a licence. A complete list of places registered under the Act, including polytechnics, is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for licences to experiment on live animals under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 have been refused (a) in each of the last 10 years and (b) in total since the Act came into force.
§ Dr. SummerskillThis information is not available. Refusals are not common because prospective applicants and heads of departments usually discuss the matter first with a Home Office inspector and applications which are unlikely to be successful are not put forward.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 14 inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 have been trained in behavioural science; and whether he will list the specific qualifications for appointment to these positions.
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§ Dr. SummerskillEach of the 15 inspectors possesses medical or veterinary qualifications which include training in behavioural matters, although none possesses a specific behavioural qualification. Inspectors are required to have been fully registered as medical practitioners or veterinary surgeons, to be abreast of current trends in medical and biological research, and to be experienced in two or more of the following fields: clinical practice, medical or biological research, laboratory diagnosis, the care of laboratory animals, or administration.