§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any investigations are carried out by inspectors, employed under the Cruelty to Animals Act, into the source of animals used in experimentation.
§ Mr. MellorNo, this is not currently part of the duties of inspectors appointed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Bill, the source of all animals used in scientific procedures will be controlled by means of conditions attached to the project licences, and to the certificates of designated breeding, supplying and scientific procedure establishments. One of the duties of the inspectors will be to visit designated establishments to ensure that conditions of licences and certificates are being complied with.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Home Office inspectors employed between 1980 and to date, under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, have previously performed experiments on animals in commercial, academic or Government laboratories.
§ Mr. MellorIt is not the practice to provide information of this kind.
§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the draize eye irritancy test.
§ Mr. MellorNo. There is not yet any proven non-sentient alternative to this test. However, we intend to 633W issue guidance to researchers with the aim of ensuring that the test is used only where absolutely necessary and that any painful effects are reduced to a minimum.