§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress was made by the ad hoc committee drafting the final articles and ancillary documents of the convention on the control of animal experiments at its meeting which took place from 23 to 26 November; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonThe ad hoc committee agreed the complete texts of the convention and the explanatory report. A further meeting is to be arranged in the earlier part of 1983 to agree the texts of the remaining ancillary documents—appendix A (guidelines on accommodation and care of animals) and appendix B (statistical tables). The complete text will then be submitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for adoption. When the convention has been opened for signature the 39W Government intend, as soon as parliamentary time permits, to introduce legislation to improve and modernise the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.