DNA DATABASE

Early day motion 2075, tabled 16 July 2008 by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 23 members.

That this House notes that the UK has the largest DNA database in the world and that it includes at least half a million people who have never been convicted, charged or cautioned; further notes that the DNA database includes 27 per cent. of the entire black population, 42 per cent. of the male black population, 77 per cent. of young black men and nine per cent. of all Asians, compared with just six per cent. of the white population; expresses concern that this fuels the erroneous perception that black people are more likely to commit a crime than white people; believes that DNA profiling has a very important role to play in securing convictions, especially for difficult crimes and cold cases, but that the collection and storage of samples must be executed in a way that respects fundamental rights to liberty, autonomy and privacy and is fair, transparent and proportionate; applauds the DNA Database (Removal of Samples) Bill of the hon. Member for Cardiff Central; and calls on the Government to remove from the database and destroy the samples of those people who have not committed a crime.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 12, Labour 7, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.