§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average period of delay between the submission of samples by the North Wales police for examination at the Home Office forensic science laboratory at Euxton and the provision of the results of such examinations; what were the corresponding periods for 1984, 1985 and 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe current average period between the submission of crime samples by the North Wales police to the Home Office forensic science laboratory at Euxton (Chorley) and the provision of the results is 44 days. For drink-driving cases, the average period is six days.
The corresponding periods for the three preceding years were as follows:
- 1984 Crime cases: 35 days; drink-driving: 5 days;
- 1985 Crime cases: 33 days; drink-driving: 5 days;
- 1986 Crime cases: 42 days; drink-driving: 6 days.