Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether animal testing is conducted at Porton Down.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, Wiltshire, is licensed by the Home Office to conduct the Ministry of Defence's in-house research involving the use of animals.

The majority of the animals used at Dstl are employed in the development of new vaccines, treatments or medical procedures. Every procedure is undertaken in strict accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Alternatives to avoid animal testing are considered during the outset of the design of each research programme.