§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has560W received from interested parties and individuals about the need to establish a Royal Commission on the use of animals for experimental purposes. [38630]
§ Mr. George HowarthWe have received a large number of cyclo-styled letters from supporters of Naturewatch. A petition was also handed in at Downing Street by representatives of this organisation. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has written to Naturewatch and will meet the organisation's Director shortly.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a Royal Commission on the use of animals for experimental purposes. [38631]
§ Mr. George HowarthWe have not yet decided whether a Royal Commission is necessary.
The Animal Procedures Committee is carrying out a review of all aspects of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We will be in a better position to decide on the need for and the remit of any Royal Commission once this review has been completed.
A Royal Commission would be extremely expensive, both in terms of money and human resources, and we estimate could take over two years to complete. We would rather use the resources that are currently available to make immediate improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986-for example by implementing the 13 recommendations made in the Animal Procedures Committee's interim report on the review of the Act and the policies I announced on 6 November.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current licensing arrangements to protect animals used in scientific experiments; [38632]
(2) if he will review the present provisions governing authorisation of experiments on animals for scientific research; and if he will make a statement. [38633]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Animal Procedures Committee is reviewing the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. One of the specific areas it is looking at is the arrangements for personal and project licences and, in particular, the application of the cost/benefit assessment required by section 5(4) of the Act and the accessibility of information on alternatives to animal experiments.
The licensing arrangements under the 1986 Act are most rigorous in requiring certificates of designation, personal licences and project licences.
Certificates of designation ensure that establishments where animals are used in scientific procedures (or bred or supplied for such use) have high standards of care and accommodation and suitable veterinary and animal welfare personnel.
The project and personal licences ensure that those carrying out regulated procedures are qualified and suitable; that alternatives to animals are used wherever possible; and that any suffering or other harmful effects experienced by the animals have been weighed against the potential benefits (to humans or animals). Project licences 561W also contain detailed arrangements for the control and minimisation of any pain or suffering, and ensure that the number of animals used is minimised.