HC Deb 29 June 1992 vol 210 c383W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what species of laboratory animals are being used for the toxicity of organophosphates at the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down; and how many have been used in this research since 1989;

(2) if he will list the types of nerve gases being tested on animals at the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down; and what other research projects linked to nerve gases involving animals are also being conducted at this establishment;

(3) how many non-human primates were used in nerve gas experiments at the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down, (a) for the testing of antidotes and (b) for other purposes, in each year since 1987.

Mr. Charles Wardle

My right hon. and learned Friend is responsible for the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, under which the use of living animals in research may be authorised. It is not the practice to give details of research at individual establishments which we receive in the course of discharging that responsibility.