Forensic Science Laboratory

HC Deb 24 November 1994 vol 250 c256W

Sir Michael Grylls

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the prior options study of the Northern Ireland forensic science laboratory was completed; and what was the outcome of the study.

Sir Patrick Mayhew

On 18 January 1994, my right hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) announced that the prior options study of the Northern Ireland forensic service laboratory—NIFSL— was coming close to completion, and that if agency status were agreed for the service, a further announcement would be made,Official Report, columns 521–22. The prior options study has been completed and I have decided that NIFSL should become an executive agency by 1 September 1995.