HC Deb 14 June 1995 vol 261 cc524-5W
Mr. Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of animals used in experiments in the United Kingdom to investigate the effects of tobacco products in each year between 1987 and 1993; and if he will identify separately the numbers used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. [28115]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

I refer the hon. member to the reply given to questions from the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 March,Official Report, column 807

Statistics for the numbers of animals used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are not separately recorded.

Mr. Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which category in Home Office statistics experiments on animals for the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are listed. [28114]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

Where the primary purpose of the procedure is to study the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on body systems, it would be included in the appropriate column of the "body systems studies" section of tables 2A and 2B, and in the corresponding section of table 25. Where the primary purpose is to evaluate the general hazards posed by environmental tobacco smoke, it would be included within the safety column of the "applied studies or purposes" section of tables 2A and 2B; and also in the corresponding sections of table 25, and in the "tobacco" columns of tables 3 and 26. All references are to the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Liming Animals, Great Britain 1993".

The revised system for the collection of statistics, being introduced this year, will ensure that all work relating to tobacco will in future be clearly distinguished.