HC Deb 14 February 2000 vol 344 cc418-9W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people holding his Department's licences to perform experiments on animals are employed in the NHS. [109519]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The most recent figures available record 11 National Health Service (NHS) hospitals as holding Certificates of Designation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 with a total of 307 personal licence holders at these hospitals.

A further three Certificates of Designation are held by public health laboratories, with a total of 53 personal licence holders at these establishments.

Our records are not held in a way which allows us to confirm whether these personal licence holders are employed in the NHS. Similarly, they do not show whether personal licence holders, working in other designated establishments, are NHS employees.