§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a Royal Commission into animal experiments; and if he will make a statement. [133701]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government have not ruled out a Royal Commission, but in the meantime we are seeking to secure improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and to promote the fullest application of the 3Rs—the replacement of the use of animals with alternative methods; the reduction of the numbers of animals used; and the refinement of the procedures to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.
In this context, the Animal Procedures Committee will be issuing a public consultation paper in the autumn as part of its review of the cost/benefit assessment of applications for authority to conduct scientific research using animals. As part of this work, the Committee plans to produce an authoritative statement on the validity of animal experiments. I understand that the Committee will present its report in the summer 2001.