HC Deb 12 May 1959 vol 605 cc1027-8
18. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the forthcoming road safety campaign, account will be taken of the need to implement the Drew Committee Report on Road Safety and Alcohol.

Mr. N. Macpherson

There is nothing which can be usefully added to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on 5th May.

Mr. Hannan

That reply was extremely disappointing to those of us who are anxious that the sale of alcohol on new motorways or in roadhouses on busy thoroughfares should be very much restricted. Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the Drew Committee, which is a scientific committee, came to the conclusion that there was the possibility of mean error to the extent of even 16 per cent. where a small quantity of alcohol had been consumed? Will not the hon. Gentleman take action to deal with this menace on the roads?

Mr. Macpherson

It would be better for the House to await the publication of the Drew Committee's Report. I understand that a preliminary account of the experiments was given in the British Medical Journal of 25th October, 1958. The Medical Research Council will publish a further report later this year. I suggest that it would be better to await the full report before we decide what action should be taken.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister satisfied that the great crowd of cars that one sees around roadhouses are all driven by drivers who confine themselves to soda water? If not, is he satisfied that all these drivers leave these places in a fit condition to drive a vehicle on the road?

Mr. Macpherson

This is a difficult matter to discuss in question and answer in the House. It goes much further than that. It would be more appropriate to discuss it at greater length at another time.