SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES AND THE 3RS

Early day motion 240, tabled 23 January 2001 by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 45 members.

That this House notes with concern that those scientific procedures carried out by academic establishments, government departments and other non-commercial institutions have not recorded any decline in numbers since 1987; is perturbed that the 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement) are not being addressed at these establishments; further notes with concern that the Statistics on Scientific Procedures, which includes commercial establishments, records only a very slight overall reduction in procedures of just 2 per cent. during the past five years; believes that, as this figure is equivalent to less than half a per cent. decrease per year, the licensed establishments do not reflect the promised principle of the 3Rs; and calls upon the Government to set up an independent inquiry into this unacceptable failure to meet any of the principles of the 3Rs as promoted by the Home Office Inspectorate.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Independent 1.