§ 6. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on his policy regarding the introduction of random testing with breathalysers.
§ Mr. MulleyI have not completed my review of the law on drink and driving and cannot, therefore, say whether new legislation is needed or, if it should be, what form it should take.
§ Mr. MillsWill the Minister accept that anybody caught who is drunk while driving should be punished very severely? Many people are deeply disturbed at the working of this law, even after what has happened in the House of Lords. Does the Minister also agree that random tests would be most unwise and that what is needed is more clarification of this law?
§ Mr. MulleyThe recent decisions of the House of Lords and the Court of Appeal last week went a long way to clarifying the situation. Because of these decisions, I need more time to study the whole matter.
§ Mr. CrawshawWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the impact of the breathalyser test has worn off to a great degree? He may be surprised to know that many motorists who drink 214 would appreciate a random test to save them from some of the madmen who go on the roads.
§ Mr. MulleyI understand the prospect of random tests, by which I understand that any motorist could be stopped at any time and asked to take a test, is, to say the least, a highly controversial proposal.