Asked by: Lindsay Roy (Labour - Glenrothes)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of animals used in medical research.
Answered by James Brokenshire
In 2010, the Coalition Government made a commitment to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research and our Delivery Plan was published in February 2014.
The commitment is being delivered through a science-led programme. At the core of the programme is a commitment to the 3Rs, led by the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), an organisation with a strong record in reducing animal use. The NC3Rs closely involves government departments and agencies, the Home Office Inspectorate, the research community in both academia and industry, and others with relevant animal welfare interests.
I am committed to reducing the use of animals in research and the Delivery Plan shows how alternative methods can deliver fast, high quality research that also boosts economic growth. The commitment is not concerned with just baseline numbers, but encompasses the replacement, refinement and reduction (3Rs) more broadly. Aiming to achieve a target of reduction would be a flawed approach because numbers are not within our control. Instead, the Delivery Plan looks to support an agenda with the 3Rs at its heart.
The scientific case for developing new techniques that do not require the use of animals is now as strong as the moral one. This Delivery Plan is therefore our starting point for the future and it will pave the way for future practice, both at home and abroad, and will cement the UK's place as an international leader in this field.
Asked by: Lindsay Roy (Labour - Glenrothes)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many women in Scotland were self-employed in the most recent period for which information is available.
Answered by David Mundell
In the latest Annual Population Survey, accessed by NOMIS on 29 April 2014, the figures for the period January 2013 to December 2013 show the number of women (aged 16 +) who were self-employed in Scotland was 94,000.
Asked by: Lindsay Roy (Labour - Glenrothes)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of how much the reduction in the additional rate of income tax to 45 per cent will be worth each year for a person earning £1 million a year.
Answered by David Gauke
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Sefton Central (Bill Esterson).
Asked by: Lindsay Roy (Labour - Glenrothes)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on maximising tourism opportunities in Scotland.
Answered by David Mundell
Scotland Office Ministers meet regularly with Scottish Government Ministers to discuss a range of matters, including tourism.
As a part of the UK, Scotland's tourism industry benefits from the UK's integrated single market; the ability of visitors to move freely across its constituent parts; and the work of VisitBritain, the GREAT Campaign and UKTI to promote the whole of the UK as a destination for tourism and overseas investment.
In recent months, the Government has been actively working to help ensure the successful delivery of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the World War 1 commemoration programme and Armed Forces Day, all of which present excellent opportunities to promote Scotland on the world stage.