Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 14 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 July 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Monday, 20 July 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the countries from which dogs were imported into the United Kingdom for experiments in 1996 and 1997, indicating the number from each country; how often his Department's inspectors visited these overseas breeding establishments under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if the code of practice for breeding establishments is enforced in these non-United Kingdom establishments. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries from which dogs were imported into the United Kingdom for experiments in 1996 and 1997, indicating the number from each country; how often his Department's inspectors visited these overseas breeding establishments under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if the code of practice for breeding establishments is enforced in these non-United Kingdom establishments. [51123] Mr. George Howarth: In total, 478 dogs in 1996 and 214 dogs in 1997 were acquired from the United States of America. All were purpose-bred and were obtained from breeding establishments which meet their national standards. Home Office inspectors have not visited these establishments. They have no right to access to establishments in other countries nor can we enforce our codes in non-United Kingdom establishments.

Secondary information