HC Deb 18 February 1986 vol 92 cc125-6W
Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the category entitled animal experiments to select, develop or study the use of medicinal, dental and veterinary products and appliances contained in Cmnd. 9574 are related to cosmetic preparations for medicinal purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

[pursuant to his reply, 5 February 1986, c. 149]: The commonly used definition of a cosmetic includes cosmetic products which have some medicinal effects, unless their action is wholly for treating or preventing disease. Precise figures are not available, but it is likely that very few tests of cosmetic preparations with medicinal effects are included in the statistics of animal experiments to select, develop or study the use, and so on, of medical, dental and veterinary products and appliances. Tests on such substances would normally be included under the heading "cosmetics and toiletries."