§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the DNA analysis undertaken by the Forensic Science Service of tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959 indicates that all sets of tissues come from more than one patient; [27818]
(2) what were the results of the DNA analysis undertaken by the Forensic Science Service of tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959, which were provided to it by Central Manchester Healthcare NHS trust and Professor David Ho of New York. [27815]
§ Mr. MacleanResponsibility for these matters have been delegated to the Director General of the Forensic Science Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Dr. Janet Thompson to Mr. Denis MacShane, dated 13 June 1995:
You recently tabled two Parliamentary Questions about a commission by the Central Manchester Healthcare Trust to conduct DNA tests on tissue samples. As you know, the arrangement now is that the Chief Executive of an Executive Agency, with the agreement of the Minister, replies to Members of Parliament on operational matters. I am therefore replying on behalf of the Forensic Science Service.I can confirm that the FSS has been commissioned by the Central Manchester Healthcare Trust to undertake DNA tests on tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959. This is however a private commission and I am unable therefore to provide any information about the results. You may wish to contact Central Manchester Healthcare Trust direct about this matter.