Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 October 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 October 2013. It was answered by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 2013 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to repeal section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in order to open animal experiments to the same level of accountability as that which government and other public bodies are already subject.

[R]

Answer

We are presently reviewing section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

Central to our work on openness and transparency is the review we are undertaking of section 24 which provides for the protection of confidential information provided in connection with our regulatory activities under ASPA. A breach of section 24 can result in criminal sanctions. The requirements of section 24 are now out of step with our policy on openness and transparency and with the approach taken in other legislation, such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The solution we develop must improve the overall transparency surrounding research using animals while protecting personal identities and intellectual property and commercial competitiveness.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 172585; 569 c389W
Session: 2013-14
Registered interest declared: Yes
Subjects: Animal experiments
Legislation: Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Animal Experiments

Secondary information

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