Membership

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 states that there must be at least 12 people on the committee.

Of these 12, which excludes the chairman, the act states that:

• at least two-thirds of the members must have full registration as medical practitioners or veterinary surgeons, or be qualified in a biological subject relevant to the work of the committee
• one member must be a barrister, solicitor or advocate
• at least half of the members must not have held a licence under the act during the last six years
• the interests of animal welfare should be adequately represented (this has tended to mean, in practice, the appointment of members associated with animal welfare organisations, but all members pay high regard to animal welfare)

There is normally an academic philosopher on the committee, although this is not a statutory requirement.

All members are appointed as individuals and not as representatives of organisations by which they are employed or with which they have significant contacts.

Members are appointed for terms of up to four years and can be re-appointed once. Apart from the chairman, members are not paid for their work on the committee, though they can claim reasonable out of pocket expenses.

All appointments are made in accordance with guidelines set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.