§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce legislation updating the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 and harmonising United Kingdom laws on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes with those pertaining in the European Community.
§ Mr. MellorLegislation updating the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 will be introduced as soon as possible to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Council of Europe's convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. Signatories to the convention will be required to adhere to a common minimum standard of care but there are no plans to harmonise United Kingdom laws with those in other countries of the EC. It will be open to the United Kingdom to take advantage of the provision in the convention permitting member states to adopt higher standards.