§ 32. Mr. Ancramasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many prosecutions have been brought by his Department for offences involving alcohol over the Christmas and new year holiday periods; and whether these figures show a decrease or increase on the figures for comparable periods in the previous year.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandIt is not possible to provide figures of the type requested by my hon. Friend. What I can say from the information available to me is that prosecutions this year for offences committed in the relevant period directly relating to the abuse of alcohol, such as drunk and incapable and drunk and disorderly are at the same level as the same period in 1981–82. Provisional figures for drink-driving offences over the recent holiday period show a small rise over the comparable period in 1981–82.
§ Mr. AncramI thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the statistics are still disturbing and that this anti-social, if seasonal, crime requires a greater degree of Government control? Will he consult his right hon. and hon. Friends in the Scottish Office to see whether there are ways of impressing upon people, before the next festivities, that that type of crime will be prosecuted vigorously? In that way it may be that people will be deterred.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandMy hon. Friend will be aware that in Scotland over the Christmas period chief constables made a particular effort to ensure that drunken driving did not occur. From his experience in the Scottish courts, I am sure he will appreciate that all too often the excessive consumption of alcohol is a prime factor in the unfortunate level of crime that we experience.
§ Mr. Tom ClarkeIs the Solicitor-General aware that many people believe that this matter is so important that it calls for a massive advertising campaign? Will he therefore consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, as, apparently, there is a great deal of money available for such purposes?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI should certainly be prepared to consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland who, I believe, is regrettably all too well aware of the problem of the excessive consumption of alcohol in Scotland.
§ 33. Mr. Maxtonasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland, against how many persons charges related to drunkenness were brought by his Department in each of the last two years for which figures are available.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe number of persons proceeded against in such cases is as follows: for drunkenness offences under the Licensing (Scotland) Acts and so on in 1980 the figure was 14,459 and in 1981 11,579; for drink-driving offences the figure in 1980 was 12,779 and in 1981 11,460.
§ Mr. MaxtonHow many of the people who have been picked up by the police for drunkenness have been referred to a designated place under section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980? Is he satisfied that the police are making proper use of that section? Is he satisfied equally that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is providing sufficient money to establish proper designated places?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that the provisions under section 5 came into effect on 1 June 1981. As he clearly realises from the terms of his quetion, the matter is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, but even then the responsibility for the provision of designated places is for local authorities and other bodies. Proposals 298 have been received for designated places in Aberdeen, Clydebank, Inverness and Glasgow. I share his anxiety that designated places should be provided where appropriate.
§ Mr. MaclennanDoes the Solicitor-General keep statistics that show not just the charges relating to drunkenness but where drink was a factor that led to the commission of the offence?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandNo, although I believe that the hon. Gentleman is correct. Far too often excessive drinking is at the centre of much of Scotland's crime. It would be impossible to keep statistics in all cases that would show whether drink was involved. He will appreciate, from his experience in the courts, that drink can be a prime factor, in crimes ranging from murder down to simple acts of vandalism.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisI apologise for taking part in Scottish questions, but as this is a national problem, may I ask the Solicitor-General to discuss with various Departments the equally dangerous habit of drug-taking and driving? Many people who have taken drugs do not know that they are a danger on the road. Could they be told to be careful when taking drugs? They take drugs for colds and other illnesses and the doctors do not advise them of the dangers.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandAlthough the matter is not primarily my responsibility, I accept that if people take drugs and drive it can lead them into circumstances where they will not only be in breach of the road traffic legislation, but may commit other crimes.