§ 33. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the proportion of nullified breathalyser tests throughout England and Wales, and separately within the greater London area, which were recorded in police statistics in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971, respectively, in those cases where an original positive on-site result was shown.
§ Mr. MaudlingIn England and Wales in 1969, 31,770 initial breath tests gave positive results, and 4,938 breath tests at police stations gave negative results among drivers who had hen required 1485 to take initial breath tests. The corresponding figures for 1970 are 39,393 and 5,635. Those for 1971 are not yet available. I am obtaining figures for the Metropolitan Police District and for the City of London and shall write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. DykesI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is not the figure for mistakes or margin of error disturbingly high? Does it not justify another look at the existing procedures, bearing in mind that sufficient numbers of members of police forces in many areas are disturbed about the way in which the Act is enforced?
§ Mr. MaudlingAt first sight, I should not say that that was necessarily so, but I shall be happy to look into it.