asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he takes to ensure that secondary schools adhere to the guidelines issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the care of animals on school premises.

The Department has published advice on the care and maintenance of living animals in schools in its booklets "Safety in Practical Subjects" and "Safety in Science Laboratories" and has drawn attention in these booklets to other sources of advice to schools. It is for local education authorities and individual primary and secondary schools to ensure that suitable procedures for the care of animals are followed.