§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set up a royal commission inquiry into animal experiments. [43969]
§ Angela EagleThe Government have not ruled out a Royal Commission but strongly believe that resources can best be used to make immediate improvements to the operation of the 1986 Act and to promote the fullest application of the 3Rs—replacing the use of animals with alternative methods; reducing the number of animals needed for a particular purpose and refining the procedures to minimise suffering.
In this context, the Animal Procedures Committee is currently considering the responses to a public consultation paper as part of its review of the cost/benefit assessment of applications for authority to use animals in scientific procedures. As part of this work, the committee plans to produce a statement on the validity of animal experiments. I expect to receive its report in the next few months.
The House of Lords has also established a Select Committee on the use of animals in scientific procedures and is currently gathering evidence.