HL Deb 12 June 1979 vol 400 cc599-600WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is a shortage of primates for research in this country and whether the setting up of primate breeding centres is contemplated and, if so, by whom.

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

There is at present a shortage of certain species of primates in this country. I understand that a small amount of breeding is carried out by various research establishments. So far as the Department of Health and Social Security is concerned, proposals for breeding are limited to provision for part of the requirement of the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control for the essential testing of polio vaccine.