Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 22 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 October 2004. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Monday, 4 October 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will order an independent public inquiry into the Imutran xenotransplantation research programme; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order an independent public inquiry into the Imutran xenotransplantation research programme; and if he will make a statement. [187057] Caroline Flint: No. We have considered the matter very carefully, but concluded that the issues, including those regarding compliance with the authorities granted to Imutran Limited under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for its xenotransplantation research programme, do not merit such an inquiry. In November 2000, my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary (Mr. Straw) asked the Chief Inspector of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to carry out a routine assessment of compliance with the relevant authorities issued to Imutran Limited under the 1986 Act. The Chief Inspector's report, which covered five years work, was published on 13 July 2001 and copies placed in the Library. It confirmed that the general level of compliance was good. No new evidence justifying any form of further inquiry into these matters was found by the Chief Inspector nor has any subsequently been presented by any other source.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1897W;424 c1895W; 187057
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Animal experiments Inquiries Inspections Xenotransplantation Imutran
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk