HC Deb 31 July 1935 vol 304 cc2641-2
29. Mr. ISAAC FOOT

asked the Minister of Transport whether the report he has received from the British Medical Association relating to alcohol and road safety can now be made available to Members of the House, and whether copies of the report can be obtained by the general public?

35. Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLE

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the report of the committee of the British Medical Association on the influence of alcohol on motor driving; whether he will issue the report for the use of Members of Parliament; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The report to which my hon. Friends refer was issued with the "British Medical Journal" for 27th July, and is, therefore, generally available. The report does not itself suggest to me any definite line of action, but I am sure that the public will be grateful to the British Medical Association for the time and trouble they have taken in carrying out this inquiry, and for the interesting material which the report contains.

Mr. FOOT

In view of the fact that the Minister of Transport obtained this report following upon a promise which he kindly gave in this House, does he not think that the report dealing with a matter of such general importance should be generally available? How are Members to get it otherwise?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The report is published in the Journal, and can be obtained by anybody. If there were any general demand for it in the House, and Members had not found it possible to obtain a copy, I would willingly reconsider the question.

Mr. FOOT

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that this is not merely a medical matter, but is a House of Commons matter? It is merely incidental that it should appear in a professional magazine. Cannot it be made available to us?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am anxious to spare the taxpayer the expense—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]—of printing what is already available to the public. As I say, if there were any general desire for it in the House—and I do not gather that there is, from the applause we have just heard—I would willingly reconsider the matter.

Mr. FOOT

Having regard to the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given, I beg to give notice that, if the opportunity arises, I will deal with this matter on the Adjournment on Friday.