Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's consultation on Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which closed on 13 June 2014, for what reason her Department did not publish a response to the consultation; and if she will make it her policy to publish a response in the next six months.

The Government intends to bring forward proposals and engage with stakeholders this year on transparency of information and the protection of confidential information regarding the regulation of the use of animals in science.

In doing so the Government intends to clarify section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, taking account of the previous consultation.