Scientific Procedures on Animals (Statistics)

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 11:21 am on 24 February 2009.

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Photo of Evan Harris Evan Harris Shadow Science Minister 11:21, 24 February 2009

The hon. Gentleman need not worry. I apologise to you, Mrs. Humble, and to hon. Members for the fact that I am a member of a Public Bill Committee and will have to go back for votes from time to time. I have been listening carefully to the hon. Gentleman. On his last point, does he not think that that is being carried out at the moment and that benefit-harm ratios and the likelihood of adequate benefit from the research are being judged by the fact that one must apply for ethical approval and authority both to do experiments and to be licensed as an investigator? We already have that in this country. It is therefore not lacking in our current regulation or the directive.