§ 10 pm
§ Mr. Steve Webb (Northavon)This petition arises from the murder on Christmas day 1995 of 18-year-old Louise Smith from my constituency. In the course of the police investigation into her murder, 4,600 local men gave DNA samples to the police to assist in the capture of her murderer. Those DNA samples, freely given, had to be destroyed by law, even though those who gave them would have consented to their retention for use in future investigations. Therefore, the petition, signed by 9,266 residents of Northavon and others:
Declares that current legislation which requires the Police to dispose of DNA profiles provided by volunteers during a Police investigation is wasteful of Police resources and reduces the effectiveness of investigations into other crimes.269The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons introduce legislation to amend the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to allow the retention of such DNA profiles where consent for such retention is granted by those submitting a specimen.And the petitioners remain, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.