§ 2.46 p.m.
§ LORD MATHERSMy 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 whether a statement can now be made regarding drink in road accidents as the outcome of the report made by the Medical Research Board and the Road Research Board, showing what were the findings of the Committee and what action is contemplated as the result of the Committee's findings.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, it is hoped that the report on the experimental work on the effect of alcohol on the skill of drivers of motor 246 vehicles will very shortly be available to the joint Committee appointed by the Medical Research Council and the Road Research Board, under whose auspices the work has been carried out. The Government will consider the Report in the light of the Committee's recommendations.
§ LORD MATHERSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess to whom this Question has now been bequeathed after many months whether he is aware of the anxiety which is being caused to a number of people who are interested in this subject by the delay in dealing with it. And may I ask whether it is not possible for something to be done to accelerate matters?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I should like to help the noble Lord in this matter, and perhaps I am able to do so. It is hoped that this Report will be available within a very few weeks. There have been certain difficulties, which perhaps were not referred to in previous replies Some of the analyses of part of the data have given equivocal results and for that reason still further research work has had to be done. As noble Lords are well aware—I believe the noble Lord, Lord Mathers, in particular—this branch of research has been going on since 1952 and is likely to continue for some years. It is a branch of original research and, as I believe my noble friend Lord Mancroft has already pointed out to the noble Lord, Lord Mathers, research work cannot be confined within a rigid timetable. That is just not possible. I may assure noble Lords, however, that Her Majesty's Government are doing everything possible to see that this work is brought to a satisfactory conclusion and the Report presented within a few weeks. I hope that that will satisfy the noble Lord.
§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, might I ask the noble Marquess whether special attention is being given to the alarming number of young people—those under eighteen years of age—who have suffered from alcoholism, and to the cause of this trouble?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, it would, I think, be improper for me to anticipate the contents of the Report, but, as has already been said, the Report will be published.
§ LORD MATHERSMy Lords, may I thank the noble Marquess for the most sympathetic reply that I have had up to date. I look forward to the even more definite expression of that sympathy.