§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in his 219W discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry on lengths of time for animal experiment project licence applications; and if he will make a statement. [143405]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThis Government fully accept that the progress of scientific research and the development of new drugs and medical technologies depend on the use of animals and I am well aware of concerns about the level of regulation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. I am keen to look at ways of reducing this, but only where it will not compromise animal welfare. The regulation is in place to create the right balance between protecting animals and ensuring that the United Kingdom science and biotechnology industry is able to move forward.
Home Office officials have been working closely with those from the Department of Trade and Industry and representatives of the scientific community in the working group dealing with animal experimentation chaired by the Minister for Science as part of the Prime Minister's pharmaceutical industry competitiveness task force. I understand that he will be reporting to the Prime Minister on this shortly.
In the course of these discussions, the local ethical review processes have been identified as a significant source of delay in many instances in the processing of applications for project licences under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The working group has been examining how the operation of the local ethical review processes can be made more efficient in licensed establishments.
In this context, I announced that I have asked the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to carry out a review of the ethical review processes, 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 517W. The Inspectorate has been asked to report by the middle of 2001. In addition, a note is about to be issued to establishments restating Home Office requirements and expectations as regards the local ethical review processes. This is intended to provide insights into current practice that certificate holders and others may wish to take into account when reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of their own processes.