HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc828-30W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have not ratified the Council of Europe: Protocol of amendment to the European convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes; and if he will make a statement; [77988]

(2) for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have not ratified the Council of Europe's European convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes; and if he will make a statement. [77285]

Mr. George Howarth

The United Kingdom signed, but postponed ratification of European Convention ETS 123 at the request of the European Commission. Through an agreement brokered during the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union in 1998, the way has been cleared for the Community and member states to accede to the Convention by 1 January 2000.

We intend to lay instruments of accession to meet this timetable. This will include ratification of the Amending Protocol. As part of our preparation, we are canvassing

the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland about their wishes with regard to ratification.