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Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that animal experiments undertaken at Porton Down do not breach the terms of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in respect of the deliberate infliction of wanton physical cruelty. [22964] Mr. Spellar: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998: As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) I have been asked to reply to your question about the steps taken to ensure that animal experiments at Porton Down do not breach the terms of the Protection of Animals Act 1911. All work involving animals at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) is carried out strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which superseded the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876). The Act covers all experimental work involving the use of animals, and states: "A person guilty of an offence under section 1 of the Animals Act 1911 or section 1 of the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in respect of an animal at a designated establishment shall be liable to the penalties specified in subsection (1) above". I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

22964; 304 c414W;304 c410W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Abuse Animals Chemical and biological warfare Defence Animal experiments Research Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Porton Down (Wiltshire)