§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on the Forensic Science Service in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133397]
§ Mr. StrawThe Forensic Science Service was established as a trading fund on 1 April 1999 by the Forensic Science Service Trading Fund Order 1998. As a trading fund it operates off-Vote and uses its trading receipts to meet outgoings. However, as allowed by the Government Trading Funds Act 1973, provision has been made in the Supply Estimates to make a repayable loan of £3 million to the Forensic Science Service in 2000–01. There are no further loans or subsidies to the Forensic Science Service planned in the years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04.