§ Sir Richard BodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that his Department's proposed freedom of information legislation includes a statutory right of access to information relating to the scientific basis for research involving animal experiments within the United Kingdom. [55346]
§ Mr. StrawSection 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the disclosure of information supplied in confidence in relation to applications for licences to carry out scientific experiments on animals.
The Government are committed to review the need for all statutory bars to disclosure as part of the development of legislation on Freedom of Information. That legislation is likely to contain a power to repeal by Order specified existing bars to disclosure.
It is too early to say, however, whether section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will be repealed in this way.
931WIn reaching a decision on this issue, I shall need to be satisfied that those who are involved in lawful scientific experimentation are not put at risk from the violent activities of some animal rights extremists, or that British science and industry is not damaged by the disclosure of information.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Department's letter AP98 1/10/333 PO 13469/98 of 23 July, if he has forwarded Neil Boyce's report, Freeze-dried Mice, relating to the overbreeding of animals, to the Animal Procedures Committee; and if he will make a statement. [55363]
§ Mr. George HowarthNeil Boyce's report was forwarded to the Animal Procedures Committee at its meeting on 23 July. The Committee is looking at the issue of overbreeding as part of its review of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.