§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the scientific validity of animal experiments in assessing the effects of pesticides upon human health.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is not one of the Ministers responsible for the national and international regulations under which the safety testing of pesticides is required. His responsibility is for controlling the conduct of scientific procedures on living animals. Where validated alternatives to the use of living animals in scientific research for whatever purpose are available, authority under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to use living animals in research will not be granted.