HL Deb 19 July 1955 vol 193 cc809-10

2.45 p.m.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made in the study of a test of fitness to drive a road vehicle where drink is suspected as contributing to road accidents; and when effective action may be expected to curb this menace to road safety.]

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, research on the effect of alcohol on driving skill is being undertaken under the ægis of the Medical Research Council and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The tests should be completed in the autumn and the report published about the end of this year. Her Majesty's Government will decide, in the light of that report, what action is required in this matter.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that these investigations have been going on for some time. I hope that they are not being conducted in too leisurely a manner. May I ask whether the instrument to which I made reference when last I raised this question—namely, the "Alcometer"—is included in the investigations? And may I also ask the noble Lord whether he has seen a report by Doctor Spriggs, F.R.C.S., late City Police Surgeon in the City of Leicester, with regard to alcohol and road accidents? I look upon that as a very important document on this subject, and I should be glad to put a copy of it into the hands of the noble Lord, if he has not one already, at the same time asking that it should be considered in the proper quarter.

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, in answer to the first of the noble Lord's supplementaries, may I say that I understand that these investigations are being carried out as speedily as possible, but they are, of necessity, complicated. The noble Lord's second supplementary was concerned with a machine which I believe is popular in America where it is called the "Drunkometer." There are three machines altogether, the "Drunkometer," the "Alcometer" and the "Intoximeter" I understand that Professor Drew is aware of the existence of all three, and he will no doubt investigate them if he sees fit. In answer to the noble Lord's third supplementary, I am aware of the report of the police surgeon of Leicester which he mentions. If there is any particular item to which the noble Lord would like particular attention to be drawn, perhaps he will be good enough to let me know.

EARL HOWE

May I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that every day's delay in dealing with this question gives rise to further anomalies? Did he, by any chance, read the report of a case which appeared in the papers on July 16? The case was that of a German commercial traveller who was "had up" in Birmingham and fined for being drunk in charge of a car. This man felt that he was under the influence of alcohol; he stopped his car, locked it up, and got a bystander to telephone for the police. Eventually he was fined £15. What he did was in compliance with the law as it is in Germany. This man complied with the German law, but not, of course, with the English law.

LORD MANCROFT

My Lords, the answer to the first of the noble Earl's supplementaries is: Yes, I am aware that there are anomalies. The answer to the second supplementary is: No, I have not seen that report, but I now know all about it.