Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory (Hansard, 26 January 1990)

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times since 1 January 1989 scientists at the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory have been unable to visit scenes of crimes due to understaffing; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Waddington
I understand that since 1 January 1989 it has not been possible for scientists at the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory to visit scenes of crimes on an estimated 16 occasions. The provision of specialist assistance at major crime scenes remains a high priority for the laboratory.

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases since 1 January 1989 has the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory had to decline to provide the police with forensic science reports, on the grounds of understaffing or overwork; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Waddington
I will write to the hon. and learned Member.

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to attract more trained forensic scientists to the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory; and if he will make a statement;
(d) what assessment he has made of the effect of restrictions in staffing levels in the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory on the quality and number of investigations carried out there; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Waddington
Forensic scientists are not trained at first degree level. The Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory therefore concentrates on recruiting and training its own scientists and a graduate recruitment exercise is currently under way.
The staffing level for the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory is set by the Commissioner within the total of civil staff whom he is authorised to employ. The ceiling is currently 216, which I understand the Commissioner considers to be appropriate to the amount of work undertaken; on 1 January there were 2031/2 staff in post. The impact of this shortfall of staff on the work of the laboratory, and the need for pay flexibility and other relevant management issues, are under consideration.