Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 16 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 March 2000. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 March 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many investigations were carried out in 1999 under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986; how many of these revealed that a criminal offence had been committed; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figure and ref to 345 c661-2W and Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 1999.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations were carried out in 1999 under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986; how many of these revealed that a criminal offence had been committed; and if he will make a statement. [115732] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate carried out one major investigation commissioned by the Secretary of State in 1999. This was the Harlan UK investigation. My reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 8 March 2000, Official Report, columns 661-62W, reported the outcome of that investigation. The Inspectorate also investigated a number of other alleged infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in 1999. Most of these were self-reported. A number of these cases have yet to be completed. A report on infringements, and their outcomes, will be included in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 1999 to be published in July.

Secondary information