§ 47. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what legislative action, by way of the amendment of the Traffic Act, 1956, or otherwise, is now contemplated in order to implement the finding of the Drew Report that chemical tests are both reliable and administratively feasible.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am most grateful to Professor Drew for the valuable addition to our knowledge which his Report has given us; it does not, however, in my view, in itself provide a basis on which legislative proposals could be framed for presentation to Parliament.
I propose to have further discussions on the general issue with the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. HastingsIs the Minister aware that the chemical test on body fluids is of equal value in proving innocence as well as guilt in cases of people charged with the offence of being under the influence of liquor while in charge of a motor car, and does he realise that it is used in many other countries? Ought not facilities for this test to be provided at police stations so that, when individuals ask for it and are willing to have it, it could be available?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI understand that that is one of the matters which my Department will be discussing with the Medical Research Council.