HC Deb 14 July 1958 vol 591 cc818-9
25. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Health as representing the Lord President of the Council, how soon the Report of the Medical Research Council on the effect of alcohol on driving capacity will be published; and what steps will be taken by his Department to make the recommendations of the Report as widely known as possible.

23. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Health as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the object of the revision, before publication, of the Report upon the effect of alcohol on the skill of drivers of motor vehicles; and by whom it is being carried out.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The Report is being revised by its author on the advice of the scientific panel under whose auspices the research was carried out. The object of the revision is to correct minor errors and simplify the presentation of the statistics. My noble Friend will arrange for the publication of the Report as soon as it is in his hands, but I cannot at present add to what I said about the date of publication in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) on 7th July.

Sir F. Medlicott

Will my right hon. and learned Friend assure the House that this very important Report will not be passed round too many Departments and committees before the House has a chance of reading it?

Mr. Walker-Smith

My noble Friend has every intention of publishing this Report. It may be that it will be possible to have a preliminary publication of the main findings in a form suitable for scientific journals.