§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current grades and pay scales of forensic scientists employed by his Department; how many scientists are employed at each grade; if he has any proposals to increase the pay scales; and if he will make a statement.
827W
§ Mr. HurdThe current grades, numbers in grades, and pay scales of scientific staff in the forensic science service are as follows:
Grade Numbers in grade as at 12 October 1987 Current pay scale £ 4 1 28,975 29,725 30,475 5 5 24,765 25,815 26,965 28,215 6 8 18,786 19,685 21,335 23,185 25,335 7 53 15,030 15,630 16,280 16,980 17,730 18,530 19,380 119,500 20,292 1Interim point from 1 October 1987: Staff on this point proceed to maximum of unified grade 7 (£20,292) on 1 April 1988. From 1 April 1988 there will be accelerated incremental progression for the best performers and for those in grades SO grade 4 who have reached their scale maximum additional increments will be available to reward outstanding or otherwise specially deserving performance. 828W
Grade Number in grade Pay scale from 1 September 1987 Revised pay scale from 1 April 1988 Senior Scientific Officer (SSO) 124.5 11,557 12,024 12,024 12,505 12,505 13,005 13,005 13,526 13,526 14,066 14,066 14,629 14,629 15,214 15,214 15,823 Higher Scientific Officer (HSO) 97.5 9,219 9,687 9,687 10,154 10,154 10,622 10,622 11,089 11,089 11,557 11,557 12,024 12,024 12,505 12,505 13,005 Scientific Officer (SO) 125 7,816 8,284 8,284 8,751 8,751 9,219 9,219 9,687 9,687 10,154 10,154 10,622 Assistant Scientific Officer (ASO) 57.5 4,004 4,004 4,585 4,585 5,250 5,250 5,618 6,011 6,431 6,881
Grade Number in grade Pay scale from 1 September 1987 Revised pay scale from 1 April 1988 6,881 7,349 7,349 7,816 7,816
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any proposals to increase the establishment of forensic scientists employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend is considering an increase in the complement of the forensic science service to improve turn-round times and to provide new services. But 49 per cent. of the cost of the forensic science service is borne by police authorities and we shall therefore wish to consult them before reaching final decisions.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recruitment policy of his Department's forensic science service.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Department's policy is to recruit suitably qualified staff to maintain the complement of the service. Staff in the scientific grades above assistant scientific officer are recruited on behalf of the Department by the Civil Service Commission in accordance with the principles of fair and open competition. The directors of forensic science laboratories have delegated authority from the Department to recruit assistant scientific officers locally, when vacancies arise, in accordance with these principles.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average period of delay between the submission of samples by the Metropolitan police for examination at the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory and the provision of the results of such examination; what were the corresponding periods for 1984, 1985 and 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the relevant figures for 1984 and 1987 are as follows:
1984 Days 1987 Days Chemistry (Criminalistics) 45 65 Biology 28 41 Chemistry (Drugs possession) 28 140 Chemistry (Toxicology) 21 21 Firearms 58 70 Document examination 70 70 Drink driving 2 to 3 2 to 3 The above figures conceal wide variations, since the time taken to deal with cases varies according to the complexity of the case. Figures for 1985 and 1986 are not readily available.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many forensic scientists are employed currently by the Metropolitan police and his Department, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures for 1984, 1985 and 1986.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe information requested is as follows: 829W
Date Number of staff in post Forensic scientists in the Home Office 1984—Figures not readily available — 31 December 1985 480 31 December 1986 469 12 October 1987 471.5 Forensic scientists in the Metropolitan police 31 January 1984 211 31 January 1985 204 31 January 1986 204.5 31 January 1987 199.5 31 October 1987 195.5