Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 2004. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons it is his policy to grant licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to test the effects of tobacco smoke.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons it is his policy to grant licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to test the effects of tobacco smoke. [191135] Caroline Flint: The Government stands firmly by their ban on tests which involve animals in the development and testing of tobacco products announced in November 1997. No such tests have been authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 since that time. However, applications may be considered for licence authorities involving the potential exposure of animals to tobacco smoke when this is the only means of studying an important feature of the development or treatment of a number of health problems.

Secondary information