§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow renewal of project licence applications to be subject to independent assessment of non-animal alternatives before deciding whether or not to grant them. [57714]
§ Mr. George HowarthWe have undertaken to delete from the notes, for the completion of application forms for licences and certificates, the phrase "Your application will be treated in confidence at all stages". However, section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) 497W Act 1986 remains in force and we will not be able to disclose information that either has been given in confidence or we have reasonable grounds for believing was given in confidence. It remains the duty of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to advise on applications.
Section 24 of the 1986 Act will be reviewed under our proposals for freedom of information legislation.