§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to place further limits on experiments on animals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonWe are committed to modernising and improving the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 after the main requirements of the convention now being prepared by the Council of Europe are known. Following the next meeting of the ad hoc committee of experts at Strasbourg from 12–15 May we expect to have a sufficiently clear idea of the obligations of the convention to enable us to move forward towards legislation.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legslation to extend the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cover wild animals and to prohibit the export of pelts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend has no plans to amend the Act in these ways.