HC Deb 25 January 1990 vol 165 cc872-3W
41. Mr. Pike

; To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to start the DNA testing scheme for applicants for settlement in the United Kingdom.

104. Mr. Caborn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to start the DNA testing scheme for applicants for settlement in the United Kingdom.

119. Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to start the DNA testing scheme for applicants for settlement in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) on 27 November at column108.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it takes to obtain a DNA test in paternity suits for each magistrates court in England and Wales.

Mr. John Patten

Information in the form sought is not readily available. But commercial testers expect to provide reports to courts within four months of a direction to do so.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to the Exchequer of a DNA test in a magistrates court taken for the purposes of a paternity suit.

Mr. John Patten

The parties to the case pay the fees for blood tests ordered by magistrates courts in civil cases. Some parties are legally aided. The maximum fee that may be charged for a court-directed blood test, which may include a DNA test, is £115.90 per sample exclusive of VAT. So, where a party is legally aided, the maximum cost to the Exchequer of a blood test is £115.90 per sample excluding VAT.