§
52 Clause 26, page 22, line 30, at end insert—
'(1A) For the purposes of any summary criminal proceedings, a report purporting to be signed by two authorised forensic scientists shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be sufficient evidence of any fact (or conclusion as to fact) contained
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in the report and of the authority of the signatories.
In the foregoing provisions of this subsection, "authorised" means authorised by the Secretary of State to make a report to which this subsection shall apply.'.
§
53 Clause 26, page 22, leave out line 31 and insert—
'(2) Subsections (1) and (1A) above shall not apply to a certificate, or as the case may be, report'.
§ Lord MACKAY of CLASHFERNMy Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 52 and 53. I also wish to speak to Amendments Nos. 54 to 56 and 60 to 66. The purpose of these amendments is to extend the provisions for routine evidence in Clause 26 to reports provided by forensic scientists. Under these amendments such evidence could be received by certificate in summary cases, and could be spoken to in court by one scientist only (without the need for corroboration) in indictment cases. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said amendments—(Lord Mackay of Clashfern.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.