§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements he has made to carry out a quinquennial review of Forensic Science Northern Ireland. [139443]
§ Mr. IngramI have agreed that a review should be undertaken. Forensic Science Northern Ireland completed five years of operation as an executive agency on 31 August 2000. Accordingly it should, like other agencies, now be subject to a quinquennial review. The review will commence immediately and should be completed by 30 April 2001.
The review will be directed by a Steering Group under the Chairmanship of the Director of Resources in my Department.
The Steering Group will be supported by a Project Team led by a member of the Senior Civil Service from outside Forensic Science Northern Ireland. The leader of the Project Team will report to the Steering Group on a regular basis.
The review process will provide extensive opportunities for consultation with internal and external stakeholders and will follow the procedures recommended in the guidance for the review of agencies and non-departmental public bodies published by the Cabinet Office.