HL Deb 14 March 1980 vol 406 cc1395-6WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ban the import and sale of the "Opticraft Dissecting Set "now on sale at Messrs. Boots shops, price £4.25, advertised as being for "Botany, Biology, Entomology and Minor Anatomy ", containing 10 instruments for the purpose but without any warning against using live specimens or of the provisions of the several Acts of Parliament against cruelty to animals and the protection of endangered species;and

Whether they are aware that the "Opticraft Dissecting Set "is being sold at £4.25 to children as "A Hobby Today: a Profession Tomorrow "and which contains (a) straight tweezer;(b) curved tweezer;(c) straight knife;(d) curved knife;(e) straight needle;(f) curved needle;(g) spatula;(h) scissors;(i) magnifier;(j) glass rod;and whether this form of commercially-inspired and unsupervised apprenticeship for potential applicants for licenses under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 meets with their approval.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)

The marketing of these instruments, which can be used for legitimate purposes in no way connected with the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, does not require the Government's approval;but I shall make inquiries into this matter.