Forensic Science Northern Ireland

HC Deb 21 July 2000 vol 354 cc369-70W

Mr. Leslie

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key targets were set for Forensic Science Northern Ireland in 2000–01; what further plans have been prepared by Forensic Science Northern Ireland; and what arrangements have been made for the publication of this year's plans. [132555]

Mr. Mandelson

The following key targets were set for Forensic Science Northern Ireland in 2000–01:

Quality of Service To turnaround 85 per cent. of cases in which a file is required to be submitted to the DPP within the notified scale. To turnaround 90 per cent. of all reports within the timescale notified to the investigating officer in cases where there is no DPP file.

Quality of Science Maintain the UKAS accreditation of those scientific processes identified by the Ministerial Advisory Board.

Service Provision To have obtained the agreement of the RUC User Board that FSNI is effectively meeting the needs of the RUC as defined in the Service Level Agreement for the year ending 31 March 2001.

Financial Performance Recover from customers the full cash cost of the services delivered to them. Reduce the Unit Cost by 2 per cent.

Achievement against these key targets will be recorded in the Agency's Annual Report for 2000–01 which will be published in July 2001.

FSNI has published a summary of its Corporate plan 2000–03 and annual Business Plan 2000–01 which explain its business and organisation, describe its key targets for 2000–01 and set out the assumptions about work loads and resources which support its planned activities. Copies of the summary plans have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies will be available to the public from FSNI.