Ludlow MP Philip Dunne was asked a question in the House of Commons by North Durham's Labour member Kevan Jones about the number of pigs being used to test explosives as part of his role as Minister of State for Defence Procurement.

And he revealed that last year, 15 of the animals were used in explosive tests.

However, that represents a decline over the last few years, as 19 were used in 2013, 15 again in 2012, 25 in 2011, and 96 in 2010 – meaning the number of hogs hit with battlefield-type explosives has dropped by 84 per cent in the last five years.

The use of pigs, which is licensed by the Government, has long been a bone of contention, and animal rights campaigners have previously called for the practice to end.

Mr Dunne told the Commons that the use of pigs in experiments at secret testing facility Porton Down, in Wiltshire, was vital for developing protective equipment for the Armed Forces.

"Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Porton Down conducts less than half of one per cent of the animal experimentation carried out in the UK," he said.

"DSTl is proud of its work to develop and create battle-winning technology and protection equipment for UK Forces and Government through the best use of science and technology.

"The remit for DSTL to provide safe and effective protective measures for the UK and its armed forces against the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons and to enhance the treatment of conventional casualties on the battlefield, could not currently be achieved without the use of animals."

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The breed of pigs used in the experiments have skin similar to humans, and the tests allow scientists to see injuries consistent with those that might be expected on the battlefield.

That in turn is reported to help them devise more effective techniques for post-traumatic treatment of soldiers in the field.

"Each procedure is undertaken in strict accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986," Mr Dunne added, saying that the work embraces the "3Rs" principle aimed at making animal testing humane – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

The Ministry of Defence faced an outcry about the use of pigs in such experiments early last year, and said the pigs were anaesthetised when the explosive tests were carried out, then humanely culled afterwards.

The practice of shooting pigs with guns such as AK47s was ended amid outrage from the public in 2013.