§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what facilities are available to Scottish police forces in relation to genetic fingerprinting techniques; what plans he has to increase or develop these facilities; if he will list the resources he has allocated to(a) research and development and (b) provision of such services in the current financial year; what consultations he has had with chief police officers about genetic fingerprinting; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 27 January 1993]: Scottish police forces have access to DNA testing or "genetic fingerprinting" facilities provided by police forensic laboratories, the Forensic Science Service for England and Wales and the private sector. Police authorities determine the resources allocated to their forces, on which police grant is paid at 51 per cent, of net expenditure. It is for chief constables to decide how the resources available to them are deployed. Scottish Office officials have discussed the issues relating to the holding of DNA test records with chief constables in the Scottish criminal record office controlling committee.