asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department, or by agencies responsible to him, on animal experimentation during 1976 and 1977; what action is being taken on research to secure alternatives to living animals; and if he will make a statement.

Records are not kept in such a way as to enable this information to be given. The number of animals in Ministry of Defence establishments during 1976 and 1977 was as follows:

Species	1976	1977
Mice	229,372	225,590
Guinea pigs	6,690	10,869
Cats	10	23
Chickens	800	0
Goats	20	30
Hamsters	3,954	0
Pigs	114	183
Monkeys	313	435
Rabbits	1,775	1,866
Rats	15,943	3,665
Sheep	169	85
Dogs	1	17
Pigeons	48	18
Total	259,209	242,781

The Ministry of Defence has an active programme of research into the use of substitutes for animals in all aspects of its programmes, and substitutes are used whenever possible. The number of animals used in Ministry of Defence establishments for experimental purposes will be very substantially reduced when MRE Porton ceases to be a defence establishment.