Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, how many project licences that include the forced swim test as an element of the programme of work (a) are currently in operation and (b) have been approved in each of the past five years; whether the forced swim test has been approved for use within multiple generic projects; and if she will make a statement.

Data are not collected on numbers of project licences that include the forced swim test.

The Home Office ensures that animals are only used when necessary and under strict controls which keep suffering to a minimum. Any research which we licence must undergo a thorough harm-benefit analysis including ensuring that the planned work implements the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement).