§ 28. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the large number of road accidents caused by drunken drivers, he will introduce legislation automatically to suspend a driver's licence for a minimum period of one year upon conviction for the offence of being drunk in charge of a motor-car.
§ Mr. MarplesI will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind in the review which I am at present making of the road accident problem generally.
§ Mr. BennSurely in this case there is no reason for the right hon. Gentleman to wait? These are people whom the courts have already convicted of drunken driving; there is no question of the breathalyser or of other new techniques of detection. Can the right hon. Gentleman not now take powers to see that 434 they are not permitted to drive on the road again for a further twelve months?
§ Mr. MarplesThe courts already have power to suspend the licence, if they wish, after having listened to the evidence. Any legislation should be comprehensive and not piecemeal. I ask the House to wait until the Government have considered the whole question of driving and drink.