§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many forensic scientists are employed by his Department, how many laboratories there are; what has been the cost of the service in each of the last five years; and if he will subdivide the total cost into that for staff, buildings and equipment.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Home Office forensic science service has six operational laboratories and one central research establishment, and on 1 January 1984 employed 494 scientists. Its costs in each of the last five financial years were as follows:
§ Mr. BrittanI would endeavour to meet such a request if it were put forward as being relevant to the validity of the conviction and the convicted person's legal adviser had been unable to supply it from records available to him.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions forensic scientists employed by his Department have given evidence for the defence in court cases.
§ Mr. BrittanThis information is not available.