To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last reviewed his Department's performance in applying its policy of refinement, replacement and reductions in respect of animal experimentation. (287982)

The Government strongly support and continue to promote the development of refinement, replacement and reduction methods, commonly known as the 3Rs, wherever possible. Indeed the use of animals in scientific procedures will not be licensed if alternative non-animal techniques are available. Application of the 3Rs is kept under continuous review, and progress is reported in a variety of ways, including the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate and Division Annual Report for 2008, published on 21 July 2009, other departmental publications, and presentations to scientific and other meetings.