§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many primates are kept in research laboratories in the UK funded through the European Community; and if he will make a statement. [121306]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have been asked to reply.
Home Office records are not held in such a way as to identify the numbers of primates, or other animals, being held at designated establishments at a particular time, nor do they record centrally the sources of funding of establishments engaged in animal research. It is the nature of the work proposed in relation to the cost/benefit assessment, rather than the source of funding, which is the key consideration in deciding whether a project should be licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.