Senior AM asks First Minister to intervene on Welsh forensic science service

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Oct 2009

The First Minister has been asked by Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Michael German to intervene with the Home Secretary to retain the threatened forensic science service at Chepstow.

Speaking in the Assembly to the First Minister Mike German said "The Home Secretary must be made to understand that devolution has occurred. The police service here in Wales is funded by Welsh money as well as from Whitehall. Wales pays 50% - the Home Office pays 50%.

"We pay so we ought to have a hand on the tiller on where it is spent and whether we want a forensic science service based here in Wales", said Mr German.

"All the police forces in Wales use forensic science services from Chepstow in one form or another at present. There is the prospect of more work when the contracts come up for tender again in the very near future.

"I have had discussions with the service, and I believe there is a chink of light for the future if the Welsh police forces were to decide they wanted a forensic facility based in Wales. I would like to see the First Minister making the case for this service here.

"I understand that the service as a whole is under pressure to become more streamlined and efficient. However, we have a highly skilled team of scientists working at Chepstow, I have met with them on many occasions to discuss the future and have been impressed with their dedication and enthusiasm for the work they do. We cannot afford to lose these high level jobs or to lose forensic science altogether from Wales."