§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with regard to projects at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, London, involving the artificial induction of arthritis in mice, what steps were taken to assess the validity of the proposed research and identify other potential sources of the information required before the licence was granted. [100707]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienUnder the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, project licences are issued only if the likely benefits (to man, animals or the environment) outweigh the costs to the animals involved and if there are no alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the experimental design to minimise suffering. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate advises on whether, and on what terms, licences and certificates should be granted or amended.