Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research her Department has conducted or assessed on the level of comprehension among research scientists conducting animal experiments about the terms of animal experimentation licences which they hold.

Licence applicants are required to undergo formal training prior to obtaining licence which includes a requirement to understand the legislation and detailed information about their roles and responsibilities. Establishments are also required to continue to assess the competency of those holding licences, including their understanding of roles and responsibilities. These records of training, supervision and competence are available for formal inspection.

As part of the inspection process, Home Office Inspectors regularly monitor licence holders’ understanding of their licences.