§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for reviewing the future of the Home Office Forensic Science Service.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Home Office Forensic Science Service is now in its third year as an executive agency. During this period it has become more commercial, customer-focused and cost conscious and has improved its service to the criminal justice system as a whole. We are now undertaking a review on how best to build on this progress. The review will concentrate in particular on how to ensure the continuing independence and impartiality of the organisation and the high standards, scientific excellence and professionalism required of forensic science for criminal casework, while enabling it to operate in an increasingly business like way. It will also need to take account of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on criminal justice on the future development of forensic science.
I hope to be able to report to the House on our conclusions before the summer recess.