§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of(a) project licence and (b) personal licence applications rejected since the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 came into operation.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe vast majority of project licence applications and many personal licence applications are discussed in detail at an early stage with the Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate. Many are revised and redrafted as necessary into a form which the inspector considers acceptable.
The normal procedure is for applications, mainly for project licences, to be withdrawn or not to be proceeded with in those cases where their justification is considered insufficient or where the applicant feels unable to refine the proposed procedures to an extent that the inspector is satisfied that it would be appropriate to advise my right hon. Friend that a licence should be granted. This means that it is only very rarely necessary to refuse an application formally.