HC Deb 16 June 1965 vol 714 cc431-2
5. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet received the Report of the Road Research Laboratory on the alcohol factor in road accidents at Christmas and the New Year 1964; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I hope to have it by the end of the week. I shall decide what action to take when I have studied it.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Can the Minister say whether or not, when he introduces his legislation on the question of drinking and driving, he proposes to introduce a test of micro samples of blood rather than the use of breathalysers?

Mr. Fraser

This is one of the matters which is as yet undecided. There is a working party under my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary, for this really refers to enforcement, which is his responsibility and not mine. But we have not yet determined by what means the test will be made.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

With regard to the accident rate at holiday times, would the right hon. Gentleman say whether his research people have found any correlation between accidents and weather? When there is a bright, sunny weekend it seems there are more accidents than when it is dull. Perhaps when it is fine and sunny special warnings should be issued—

Mr. Speaker

We cannot, in dealing with alcohol, deal with all possible causes of accidents.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Has the Minister observed that during the recent Finance Bill debates the Opposition has demanded a decrease in the price of whisky? Does he not think that a decrease in the price of whisky might mean an increase in road accidents?

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