§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the delay in negotiations on the European convention on laboratory animals, he will introduce legislation without a definitive Strasbourg text during the next Session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Raison:It is the Government's intention to update the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 when parliamentary time permits. The ad hoc committee of experts for the protection of animals, which is drafting the Council of Europe convention, is to meet again early in 1982. It will then consider the further observations of delegations on the latest text and the advice of two workings groups on two ancillary documents. We remain of the view that it would be preferable to await the outcome of the negotiations on the convention.