HC Deb 23 January 1964 vol 687 cc1261-2
27. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an excess in the legal limit of weight of alcohol to each 1,000 parts of blood is to be accepted as an accurate indication of ability to drive without other medical investigation

Mr. Woodhouse

There is no provision for this criterion in the Road Traffic Act, 1962, which was passed after very full discussion in both Houses. There has not yet been sufficient experience of the working of the Act to warrant amending legislation, but my right hon. Friends the Minister of Transport and the Home Secretary are keeping the matter under constant review.

Mr. Hall

In view of the pressure on the Government to introduce more stringent measures, will my hon. Friend bear in mind, before contemplating any change in the law, that the law in Sweden has recently been amended to prevent an excess of alcohol intake over the legal limit being taken by itself, without medical and police evidence, as an indication of inability to drive?

Mr. Woodhouse

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the fact to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention because we keep a close watch on the practices of other countries; but, although they can be useful in guiding us in our decisions, I do not think there is any reason to follow them in all cases automatically.