asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to review the Forensic Science Service.

A review of the Forensic Science Service will commence on 2 September and is expected to be completed by spring 2003. The review team, independently lead by Robert McFarland, a former chief executive of the BOC Group, has been appointed and preliminary work is already underway. A steering group, chaired by one of my officials, will oversee the review and recommendations will be made to me in due course. We will report back to the House on its findings.

The review process will provide extensive opportunities for consultation work with internal and external stakeholders and will follow the procedures recommended in the guidance for the review of executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies publilshed by the Cabinet Office.