§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Defence in which Ministry of Defence establishments experiments are carried out on animals; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. LeeIt is not the practice to list establishments at which animal experiments are carried out. Experiments at Ministry of Defence establishments involving the use of animals are mainly directed at developing defensive measures against chemical attack. It is also necessary to ensure protection against biological warfare. Other work includes medical research, such as the study of wounds and the diagnosis of disease. No animals are used to practice surgery, or in work to improve weapons or ammunition performance. All animals are deeply anaesthetised when wounded. All experiments involving live animals are conducted in accordance with current legislation.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what chemical and biological agents have been tested on animals in Ministry of Defence establishments in the last year; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. LeeI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 22 March 1984 at column570 in which I explained that, as is the case with many other defence activities, a great deal of the work at the chemical defence establishment must be protected in the interests of national security. It would not be in the national interest to make available detailed information which could enable an informed observer to gain a useful insight into the scope of CDE's work and the line particular research is taking.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many experiments have been carried out on animals in Ministry of Defence establishments in each of the last five years; and how many animals were involved.
§ Mr. LeeThe number of experiments notifiable under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 carried out in MOD establishments in each of the last five years for which figures are available is as follows. Each separate animal used counts as one experiment.
Number 1980 20,700 1981 18,200 1982 14,400 1983 9,900 1984 11,332
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have died as a result of tests concerning chemical and biological agents in Ministry of Defence establishments in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. LeeInformation is not available in the form requested. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous answer which gives the number of experiments subject to the Cruelty of Animals Act 1876. It is normal practice to kill an animal painlessly at the end of an experiment.