§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the (i) accuracy and (ii) reproducibility of in vitro tests for botox toxicity; and if he will make a statement. [181806]
§ Caroline FlintThe Home Office has not commissioned research of the kind described, but it has provided funds for three projects aimed at trying to develop and evaluate alternatives to using animals in this type of testing. Further details are in the Reports of the Animal Procedures Committee for the years 1996, 1997, and 2002, copies of which are available in the House Library. In addition the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate considers and advises on progress made in this field.