§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that a black labrador dog taken unlawfully by intruders who raided the Lodge Moor Laboratories of Sheffield University last October was recognised by its rightful owner (from a press photograph) from whom it had been stolen several months previously, and that this dog was 553WA bought by the university from a dealer in Swinderby, Lincolnshire, who had no valid registration as an accredited dealer under the MRC Accreditation Scheme, and what steps are being taken to require university authorities to keep entirely clear of dubious sources of supply of animals for research.
§ Baroness YoungThe acquisition of animals for research is entirely a matter for those registered establishments, including universities, at which persons have been licensed by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Office to perform experiments on animals. It is accordingly for those establishments to consider whether their sources of supply are reliable.