§ Lord Brookmanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will review the arrangements for requiring establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to have an ethical review process. [HL4470]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has requested 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 3–498 issued on 1 April 1998, and in particular to consider:
- (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 and to recommend any changes in the arrangements and to identify best practice.
The review will take account of the views of all the stakeholders in the process, including certificate holders and licensees under the 1986 Act, and animal welfare organisations. The inspectorate have been asked to report by the middle of 2001.