To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment has been made of the likely effect of a closure of the Chorley Forensic Science Service (FSS) laboratory on FSS response times for analysing evidence. (285003)

The Forensic Science Service has undertaken detailed analysis of projected casework demand, throughput and detailed force requirements in accordance with the National Forensic Framework Agreement, and in conjunction with the expected efficiencies from their ongoing Transformation programme. Their conclusion is that they can service demand, within contractually binding response times, from a reduced number of laboratories. Closure of the Chorley site is currently only a proposal, to be tested and challenged through the consultation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has consulted all coroners on (a) the proposed headcount reduction in the FSS and (b) the proposed closure of the Chorley FSS laboratory. (285004)

The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has a pathology laboratory based in Sheffield. Staff at this facility have held discussions on the transformation of the FSS with local coroners.

The FSS has discussed the principles of a revised site structure with all of its core customers. There have been no specific discussions on these proposals with coroners beyond those spoken to by the facility in Sheffield.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Forensic Science Service (FSS) has consulted all police authorities in the North West on (a) the proposed headcount reduction in the FSS and (b) the proposed closure of the Chorley FSS laboratory. (285005)

Police authorities have not been consulted on proposed changes but each police force has been consulted. It is the police forces who are the direct customers of the Forensic Science Service, and as such, they are the people with whom such discussions have taken place.