HC Deb 01 July 1992 vol 210 c554W
Mr. John Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it a policy to extend minimal standards of care and accommodation as set out in the code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures to all suppliers of animals;

(2) what minimum standards primate traders must meet to be licensed by his office; what are the dimensions of the smallest cage British primate suppliers may legally use; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

It is already the practice of the Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate to seek compliance by designated suppliers with the standards of care and accommodation set out in the Laboratory Animal Breeders Association's guidelines on the care and housing of animals bred for scientific purposes. There is therefore a recognised standard against which such establishments can be assessed.

The recommended minimum size of cage is determined by the weight of the primate to be housed. The smallest cage size recommended by the LABA guidelines is for animals up to 700g in weight. The minimum recommended height for such animals is 100 cm, and the minimum recommended floor area is 1,200 sq cm per animal when the animals are housed in groups, or 2,500 sq cm when they are housed singly.

Mr. John Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of all British primate suppliers and for each the number of primates which(a) were dead upon their arrival to Britain, (b) died before reaching British research laboratories and (c) were slaughtered before research was undertaken.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Home Office does not hold information on the number of primates imported into Great Britain which are dead on arrival or which have died before reaching British research laboratories.

Figures on the number of primates humanely killed after receipt and before use are not collated centrally. The humane killing of primates in British research laboratories in such circumstances is known to be uncommon, but might take place, for example, to terminate suffering from otherwise untreatable disease.

It is not our practice to give details of individual establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.