HC Deb 15 May 2000 vol 350 c53W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on public accessibility of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate's databases on cost-benefit assessments. [121958]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

To meet section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, any application to use protected animals in research must be subjected to a detailed cost/benefit assessment by Home Office inspectors. The likely adverse effects on the animals concerned must be weighed against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the proposed programme of work.

Section 24 of the Act currently prohibits the release of an application and the cost/benefit assessment. The status of the inspectors' advice to Ministers, on the basis of the cost/benefit assessment, is being examined as part of our review of section 24 and freedom of information. An electronic database of precedents and key cases is maintained by the Inspectorate for internal reference. This comprises material that has been provided in confidence and its status will also be considered as part of our review.