Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Forensic Science: Miscarriages of Justice

Tuesday 21 February 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Barry Sheerman raised concerns about the impact of forensic science quality on miscarriages of justice.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of the issue and noted ongoing work with the Home Office to improve forensic science standards.
  • Sheerman mentioned his role as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice, expressing concern over the state of forensic science services in the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from concerns about the impact of forensic science provisions on miscarriages of justice. The debate focuses on the need for improved quality standards in forensic science to uphold judicial integrity.

Question

If he will have discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the quality of forensic science provision on the likelihood of miscarriages of justice. The hon. Gentleman raises an important point about the impact of forensic science provisions and the need for enhanced quality standards to prevent miscarriages of justice.

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. The Department has been working closely with the Home Office and other criminal justice partners to deliver on our commitment to drive up quality standards in forensic science. Yesterday, the House debated the new statutory code of practice required by the Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021, which will grant the independent regulator statutory powers to investigate providers who fail to meet the required quality standards and who may put the interests of justice at risk.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about discussions with Cabinet colleagues was not addressed directly.

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Q2 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice is concerned about the decline in forensic science services, including £55 million allocated for improvements but with unclear expenditure details.

Question

Is the Minister aware that the Chair of the Justice Committee and I are co-chairs of the all-party parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice? The group is very concerned at what leading forensic scientists are telling us about the running down of the forensic science service in this country—a service that must be at the heart of any good justice system. Some £55 million was put into the pot to improve forensic science over the past three years, but nobody knows where it has gone, where it was spent or when it will take effect to stop the loss of great experts that we are experiencing.

Answer from Mike Freer

Again, the hon. Gentleman makes an important point. This is a complex issue and I am more than happy to sit down with him and my hon. Friend the Chair of the Select Committee to discuss it in further detail, to get their expertise and to see how we can move things forward.

Not addressed: The specific ask about the £55 million allocation was not addressed directly, instead offering to discuss in future.

How: Sit Down With Him And My Hon. Friend The Chair Of The Select Committee

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