HC Deb 18 March 1970 vol 798 cc372-4
14. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were killed or seriously injured on the roads in Scotland as a direct consequence of the consumption of alcohol in each of the last five years; and what approaches have been made to him by the Scottish brewers to help finance research on this problem.

Mr. Buchan

The information requested in the first part of the Question is not available. The answer to the second part is, "None".

Mr. Hamilton rose

—

Mr. Bruce Campbell

On a point of order.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I remind hon. Gentlemen that points of order cut out someone's Questions.

Mr. Campbell rose

—

Mr. Dalyell

Sit own.

Mr. Campbell

Does the House have to listen to the person who so recently publicly insulted and attacked Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family?

Mr. Speaker

That was a bogus point of order.

Mr. Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that the total number of deaths on the road in Scotland in the last five years were nearly 4,000, including 890 in the last year? Is he further aware that the Scottish and Newcastle Breweries' profit last year was nearly £18 million? How long will Youngers and other people sit on their bank books while this carnage on the road goes on?

Mr. Buchan

I am aware of these terrible figures. As regards the latter part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) is in a better position to answer.

Mr. Younger

On a point of order. May I please make it clear to the House, since an imputation has been made against me, that I have no connection in any business sense at all with these people.

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is regrettable that the comment was made.

Mr. Hamilton rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am not complaining about the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Hamilton

Further to that point of order. The hon. Member for Ayr—

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order. An accusation has been made against me by the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) and I wish to refute it. I never suggested that he had an interest. I asked how long the Youngers and others were going to sit on their bank books while this murder on the road continued.

Mr. Speaker

Order. There was no personal allegation in what the hon. Member for Fife, West said.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

On a point of order. It was not the remark of the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton), but the subsequent remark of the Joint Under-Secretary, coming immediately after it, which was offensive, and I ask the Joint Under-Secretary to withdraw it.

Mr. Speaker

I have endeavoured to convey that to the House, and the Joint Under-Secretary has been attempting to rise to do so.

Mr. Buchan

As the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) says that, I am prepared to accept it and to withdraw my remark.