§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish a forensic science inspectorate; and if he will make a statement. [45359]
§ Mr. MichaelAs my right hon. Friend indicated in the answer he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 21 May 1998,Official Report, columns 449–50, the Government considered three sets of proposals for oversight of forensic science, including one by Professor Caddy recommending consideration of the establishment of an Inspectorate of Forensic Science Services. In light of the progress made in recent years by the forensic science industry to promote quality and standards, including the external accreditation of laboratories by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and the British Standards Institution, we believe that the forensic science community's own proposals to establish a Registration Council for Forensic Practitioners offers the most practical way forward. The Government accordingly support the setting up of the Registration Council.