Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

19 The Animal Procedures Committee

(1) There shall be a committee to be known as the Animal Procedures Committee.

(2) The Committee shall consist of a chairman and at least twelve other members appointed by the Secretary of State.

(3) Of the members other than the chairman—

(a) at least two-thirds shall be persons having such a qualification as is mentioned in subsection (4) below; and

(b) at least one shall be a barrister, solicitor or advocate,

but so that at least half of those members are persons who neither hold nor within the previous six years have held any licence under this Act or under the [1876 c. 77.] Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 ; and in making appointments to the Committee the Secretary of State shall have regard to the desirability of ensuring that the interests of animal welfare are adequately represented.

(4) The qualifications referred to in subsection (3)(a) above are full registration as a medical practitioner, registration as a veterinary surgeon or qualifications or experience in a biological subject approved by the Secretary of State as relevant to the work of the Committee.

(5) Members of the Committee shall be appointed for such periods as the Secretary of State may determine but no such period shall exceed four years and no person shall be reappointed more than once.

(6) Any member may resign by notice in writing to the Secretary of State; and the chairman may by such a notice resign his office as such.

(7) The Secretary of State may terminate the appointment of a member if he is satisfied that—

(a) for a period of six months beginning not more than nine months previously he has, without the consent of the other members, failed to attend the meetings of the Committee;

(b) he is an undischarged bankrupt or has made an arrangement with his creditors;

(c) he is by reason of physical or mental illness, or for any other reason, incapable of carrying out his duties; or

(d) he has been convicted of such a criminal offence, or his conduct has been such, that it is not in the Secretary of State's opinion fitting that he should remain a member.

(8) The Secretary of State may make payments to the chairman by way of remuneration and make payments to him and the other members in respect of expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

(9) The Secretary of State may also defray any other expenses of the Committee.