Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 June 2004. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Friday, 18 June 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to assess whether experiments on animals can be scientifically reproduced using other methods and subjects.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to assess whether experiments on animals can be scientifically reproduced using other methods and subjects. [176778] Caroline Flint: The Home Office has not commissioned or evaluated any formal research to demonstrate that experiments on animals cannot be scientifically reproduced using other methods and subjects, and has no plans to do so. Instead, the assessment of project licence applications under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 focuses on these issues on a case by case basis. Under the 1986 Act, the use of animals in regulated procedures is prohibited where a scientifically valid, non-animal alternative is available.

Secondary information