§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average length of time for forensic analysis of drugs when a defendant on a drugs charge has been remanded in custody:
(2) what is the longest time period on record for which a defendant has been kept on remand awaiting forensic analysis of drugs.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis information is not available in the form requested. The Home Office forensic science service and the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory do, however, give the highest priority to the analysis of drug samples where a defendant is remanded in custody because of drug-related offences. Information is usually available to assist the investigation within two to three days and frequently within a very much shorter time.