§ Mrs. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the arrangements for requiring establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to have an ethical review process. [136224]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have asked the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to carry out a review of the operation of the ethical review process, to see what improvements can be made in the way in which local reviews are carried out to enhance animal welfare. The terms of reference of the review are as follows
To review the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation of the Ethical Review Process, as set out in PCD Circular 3–4.98 issued on 1 April 1998, and in particular to consider:and to recommend any changes in the arrangements and to identify best practice.
- (a) whether the aims of the process, as specified in paragraph 3 of the Annex to the Circular, have been achieved;
- (b) what problems may have been encountered; and
- (c) what the resource implications have been
The review will take account of the views of all the stakeholders in the process, including certificate holders and licensees under the 1986 and animal welfare organisations. The Inspectorate have been asked to report by the middle of 2001.
§ Mrs. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to incorporating an independent element in future investigations by the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate of allegations against establishments and individuals licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [136225]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have considered the introduction of an independent element into future investigations under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
I have concluded that the appointment of a small independent scrutiny team, drawn from the Animal Procedures Committee, and reporting directly to the Secretary of State would be the best and most practicable means of providing assurance that any future Inspectorate investigations have been carried out with the necessary objectivity and thoroughness. I am grateful to the Committee for agreeing to undertake this role following an approach to them in June 2000.