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Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent he shares information obtain from animal experimentation at Porton Down with other members of NATO; and to what extent he is provided with information obtained from animal experimentation carried out in other NATO countries. [22968] 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 Research Agency (DERA) I have been asked to reply to your question about the extent to which information gained from animal experimentation is shared among the members of NATO. The UK government participates, whenever possible, in collaborative research programmes which involve a sharing of data and, indeed, results from the UK research programme have been shared with other NATO members. One of the considerations in planning collaborative programmes and sharing information is the reduction of animal use on an international basis. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

22968; 304 c414W;304 c410W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

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