HC Deb 06 April 2001 vol 366 c357W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to extend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to include technical details of animal experiments; and if he will make a statement. [157423]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Technical details of animal experiments are likely to be covered by the prohibition on disclosure set out in section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We will not provide public information which will compromise the personal security of scientists and researchers who have concerns about violent animal extremists. The current extremist activity makes it difficult to move on Freedom of Information.