Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding to the UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods; what assessment he has made of the role of industry co-investment in supporting the Centre's aims; and whether his Department plans to develop a long-term funding mechanism for the Centre.

The Government is supporting the establishment of the UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods through funding secured as part of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, with costs informed by analysis of validation requirements and comparable organisations such as the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The Government recognises the potential role of industry co‑investment and will work closely with partners across the life sciences sector to develop appropriate approaches as the Centre becomes operational. Long‑term support will be kept under review through delivery of the strategy and the multi‑year funding secured at the Spending Review.