To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason her Department prohibits the granting of licences to test the safety of cosmetics and their ingredients using animals. (181047)

The Government secured a voluntary ban on testing cosmetic finished products and ingredients on animals in the United Kingdom in November 1997 and this position has been maintained. The ban was pursued because we believe that there is inadequate justification for the use of animals given the benefits of these products and the alternative tests available.