§ LORD STRATHCARRONMy Lords, I beg leave 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 they will immediately make the police-type breathalyser available for sale to the general public.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the manufacturers of the "Alcotest" breath-testing device have recently made the device available for sale to the public.
§ LORD STRATHCARRONMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his most satisfactory reply. Owing to the misapprehension which exists among motorists, may I ask him what steps are being taken to give publicity to his reply, perhaps in the form of a Press release from the Ministry of Transport?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I have no doubt that the noble Lord's Question will have the effect of giving some publicity to this matter, and if anything further is required I am sure that my noble friend Lord Stonham will bear that in mind.
§ LORD STRATHCARRONI am grateful to the noble Lord.
LORD REAMy Lords, would the noble Lord give an indication of the approximate cost of this apparatus?
§ LORD BESWICKNo, my Lords, not without notice.
THE MARQUESS OF ABERDEEN AND TEMAIRMy Lords, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is generally realised by motorists that a used breathalyser cannot be used as evidence in a magistrates' court?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am sure it will be agreed that that does not really arise out of this Question.