HL Deb 13 December 1967 vol 287 c1107
LORD STRATHCARRON

My 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 BESWICK

My Lords, the manufacturers of the "Alcotest" breath-testing device have recently made the device available for sale to the public.

LORD STRATHCARRON

My 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 BESWICK

My 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 STRATHCARRON

I am grateful to the noble Lord.

LORD REA

My Lords, would the noble Lord give an indication of the approximate cost of this apparatus?

LORD BESWICK

No, my Lords, not without notice.

THE MARQUESS OF ABERDEEN AND TEMAIR

My 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 BESWICK

My Lords, I am sure it will be agreed that that does not really arise out of this Question.