DNA DATABASE

Early day motion 1389, tabled 17 January 2006 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 27 members.

That this House notes with concern new figures released by the Home Office revealing that nearly 40 per cent. of black men have their DNA stored on the national DNA database, compared to 13 per cent. of Asian and 9 per cent. of white men; is concerned that the discrepancies in ethnic breakdown are an indication of disproportionate use of police powers to retain DNA samples and that the Forensic Science Service has received a number of requests to access this information; further notes that black males are more likely than any other group to be arrested and therefore their DNA is more likely to be stored; is concerned that the disproportionate amount of data relating to black males will skew any findings of private companies engaging in the researching of a criminality gene and attempting to gain access to the DNA register; and is alarmed that 139,463 people are currently on the register who have not been charged or cautioned with an offence.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 7, Conservative 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.