§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 December,Official Report, column 898, if he will list (a) the type of animals used for experiments and (b) the nature of the experiments for 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
§ Mr. SoamesThe species of animals used by the Department for experiments were rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, miniature pigs, marmosets and rhesus monkeys.
These experiments were designed to:
- Investigate gravitational effects;
- demonstrate the results of exposure to different pressures of air or oxygen;
- assess the potential harm of chemical or biological agents; devise medical countermeasures;
- demonstrate the efficacy of and safety of medical counter-measures;
All the experiments involving the use of animals fully meet the spirit and letter of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.