22. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to destroy DNA samples taken from people subsequently not convicted of the crime of which they were suspected. (242987)

DNA and fingerprints play an invaluable role in fighting crime. We are carefully considering how best to give effect to the recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights.

We recognise the importance of the judgment and will publish our response to the court’s findings as soon as possible.