§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the establishment of an ethics committee to oversee scientific procedures on animals at the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down.
§ Mr. AitkenAll scientific procedures carried out on animals at this establishment are undertaken within the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This imposes strict controls on the use of living animals in research and requires each programme of work to be justified in advance. The Act also established an Animals Procedures Committee which advises the Home Secretary on such matters as the legitimate requirements of science and industry and the protection of animals against avoidable suffering and unnecessary use in scientific procedures. I see no need to establish an ethics committee.