§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt) of 15 May 2000,Official Report, column 53W, on animal experiments, whether the review of section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1966 in the context of freedom of information legislation has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [125902]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienSection 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the disclosure of information about the use of animals in scientific procedures that has been provided in confidence. Under the proposals for the Freedom of Information Bill, all statutory bars are being reviewed, including Section 24.
The maintenance of the necessary protection for individual scientists and their research institutions and for the commercial confidentiality of their work is a priority in the review of Section 24.
No decision has yet been taken on whether to repeal or amend Section 24.