§ 65. Mr. AllenTo ask the Attorney-General what further consideration he has given to the implications for prosecuting policy of the North report on road traffic law.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe implications for prosecution policy of the report of the road traffic law review will not become apparent until the detailed scrutiny of its recommendations now under way is complete, and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Home Department have made such legislative proposals as they may then think fit.
§ Mr. AllenThe Attorney-General may not be aware that in Transport Questions one of his colleagues said that the North report recommendations might come before the House before the summer recess—[Interruption.] He said a lot else besides. If the Under-Secretary of State for Transport wants to contribute, he will have to wait. Does the Attorney-General—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. These are questions for the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. AllenWell, I hope that we get further than we did with the Under-Secretary of State for Transport. Does the Attorney-General agree with the Solicitor-General that the courts will have the power in future to extend sentences relating to "bad driving" should the "bad driving" offence, which is one of the recommendations of the North report, be agreed by the House? Does the Attorney-General endorse that view?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat is not a matter for me. It is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. However, as I am always anxious to express an opinion on something that interests me, the style of drafting recommended, by the North report when referring to "bad driving" or "really bad driving" is very much to be commended as everybody understands what that means. It is a welcome suggestion.