§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts were made by his Department during the inquiry into Shamrock (GB) Ltd. to contact the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe inquiry into Shamrock (GB) Ltd. was undertaken following the "World in Action" programme shown last June, and in the light of two reports and other video material sent to the Home Office by the BUAV in July. The Home Office took the view that the BUAV would not have withheld any relevant information, and did not feel that anything would be gained by discussing the material further with the BUAV.
§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about possible irregularities in study 161/212 on primates at Hazleton UK; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 15 December at column100.
The case involving monkeys was one of a number of specific research projects using primates, the purpose or the methodology of which were queried by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection in the context of its allegations about Shamrock (GB) Ltd. and Hazleton UK. The Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate has now examined the points made by the BUAV, and its observations will shortly be considered by the animal procedures committee.