HC Deb 28 April 1965 vol 711 cc430-2
8. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now state the conclusions he has reached after studying the Road Research Laboratory's report on the alcohol factor in road accidents at Christmas and the New Year, 1964.

72. Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport when the full report of the Road Research Laboratory with regard to road accidents at Christmas is likely to be published.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I have not yet received the Road Research Laboratory's report. I expect to have it in the next few weeks, and I will arrange for it to be published as soon as possible afterwards.

Mr. Dudley Smith

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to bring forward the important legislation on the question of drunken driving? Does he accept the B.M.A.'s proposal on the size of alcoholic intake, or does he think it too generous?

Mr. Fraser

I cannot at the moment say when the legislation will be brought forward. I have intimated to the House that I accept in principle the need for legislation laying down the maximum amount of alcohol to be permitted in the blood of a person in charge of a motor car without an offence being committed. Obviously I cannot anticipate what amounts will ultimately be written into the Bill. I have said that I think that when the Bill is introduced we ought to provide—in the Bill, so that Parliament can decide—what the permitted amount should be.

Mr. Strauss

Can there be any doubt that the Road Research Laboratory's report on this occasion will be identical with its reports on previous occasions, for instance when it investigated the excessive accidents over the Christmas period and said that these were mainly due to the large amount of alcohol which drivers drank during the festivities?

Mr. Fraser

I do not know whether the report will be different from the earlier reports which we have had from the Road Research Laboratory, but, in any case, even before receiving this report, I have indicated my willingness to introduce the legislation as soon as it is convenient to do so.

Mr. Deedes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it has taken so long to produce the results from the Christmas figures? It has, in the past, been an average of six months before the results were known. Does he not appreciate that this has some effect on the impact which the findings may have on public opinion?

Mr. Fraser

I appreciate that, but the explanation of the long time it takes for the Road Research Laboratory to complete its analysis is that it cannot do so until all the reports are received from the police and the coroners. I understand, for example, that the latest reports by coroners on Christmas road deaths were received only in mid-April.

Dr. Summerskill

Would my right hon. Friend tell the House what advice he has received from medical authorities about this matter? When he answered Questions on this subject on 3rd March, he said that, in conjunction with this report, he was considering medical advice.

Mr. Fraser

We get medical advice from the British Medical Association. We have had some pretty comprehensive advice from the appropriate committee of the Association concerned with this matter.