HC Deb 20 March 1979 vol 964 cc510-1W
Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of animal experiments is used for medical and veterinary research and what percentage for cosmetics; and what percentage of animal experiments involves the use, respectively, of rats, mice, cats and dogs.

Dr. Summerskill

Of the experiments on living animals commenced in Great Britain during 1977 under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, 53.3 per cent. were performed to select, develop or study the use, hazards or safety of medical, dental and veterinary products and appliances and 0.5 per cent. to select, develop or study the use, hazards or safety of cosmetics and toiletries. The breakdown by species of animal involved was as follows:

Species of animal Percentage of experiments commenced in 1977
Mouse 61.0
Rat 20.2
Cat 0.2
Dog 0.3
Other species 18.4
Total 100.0