§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the statutory provisions governing, and the regulatory bodies responsible for, the regulation of safety testing on animals;
(2) what proportion of laboratories in which experiments upon animals are undertaken maintain a round-the-clock inspection of the animals to prevent animals suffering unnecessary pain;
(3) what advice is issued by his Department to laboratories applying for licences under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 on the criteria to be adopted in determining the level of pain suffered by animals undergoing the LD50 test.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend has no responsibility for the statutory provisions and the regulatory bodies governing safety testing on animals. Arrangements are therefore being made for the information to be sent to my hon. Friend by the responsible Departments.
Information about the proportion of laboratories maintaining round-the-clock inspections to prevent animals suffering unnecessary pain is not available centrally. However, all licensees under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 are required to make whatever arrangements are necessary, including those for regular observation of the animals, to prevent the infliction of unnecessary suffering and to limit unavoidable pain.
The levels of permissible pain are specified in conditions attached to all licences. The particular considerations to be taken into account in LD50 tests and recommendations for the additional protection of the animals, including that urging that such tests should not be begun at a time which will not ensure adequate 204W supervision during the period of maximum effect, are set out in the advisory committee's report of 1979, which has been drawn to the attention of laboratories registered under the 1876 Act. The inspectors also advise licensees of these considerations.