Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the all-party parliamentary group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research, where Members work together to push for non-animal replacements in scientific experiments.
I am chair of the all-party parliamentary group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research. Will the Minister meet me and the APPG to discuss future plans and a strategy for the manifesto commitment on phasing out animal testing?
I did not know that my hon. Friend had taken over the APPG; it is a good thing that it exists. We will work very closely with the APPG. Whether I am the right Minister or whether there is a more intelligent Minister—or a more charming one, perhaps—who might be of more assistance to her, I will make sure that she gets all the Ministers that she needs.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for a meeting was not directly addressed. The Minister offered to connect the questioner with other relevant ministers but did not commit to arranging a direct meeting.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In Ben Obese-Jecty's constituency of Huntingdon, there are two sites involved in pre-clinical animal testing. The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation wrote to him in September outlining the Government’s approach to phasing out animal testing.
What tests will be phased out via the work of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and when? Will a timeline be published?
I cannot provide the hon. Gentleman with that timeline now. We are working at pace trying to put together a practicable policy and a strategy which, as I said, we will publish by the end of the year. He makes a perfectly good point about the complexities. It will not be easy for the MHRA to meet its international commitments and our manifesto commitments. We are happy to work with the sector as well as with other Departments to deliver this, and I am happy to have a conversation with him if that would help.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for a timeline was not provided directly. The Minister stated they were working on it but did not give a concrete timeline or list of tests.
Response accuracy