§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to regulate and monitor the accommodation in which animals, and in particular primates, used in experiments are kept; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorYes. Members of the Cruelty to Animals Inspectorate already keep a close watch on standards of care and accommodation at registered places, and are particularly concerned about facilities for primates. With the inspectorate's encouragement, standards for primates have greatly improved in recent years, and the United Kingdom has played a leading part in establishing the new requirements in the draft Council of Europe convention. A Royal Society working group is at present engaged in drafting new guidelines on the care of laboratory animals, including their housing. The new legislation, which will replace the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, however, will provide for a new and more extensive system of controls under which the Secretary of State will be specifically empowered to make requirements as to the provision of adequate care and accommodation appropriate to each species.
§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for the: Home Department how many contract research organisations there are in the United Kingdom carrying out experiments on animals; and in which counties such organisations are situated.
§ Mr. MellorOur records do not distinguish between organisations which perform research work on a contract basis and those which do not. Many establishments may carry out research under contract from another as well as research on their own behalf but they are not required to inform the Secretary of State. Eight organisations registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 are thought, however, to be primarily engaged in contract research. I am not prepared to identify them further, in view of the risk of vandalism by extremist organisations.