HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc121-2W
49. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to provide that alcoholism and drunkenness are no longer dealt with as criminal offences but as matters for medical treatment.

Miss Bacon

Alcoholism is not a criminal offence. My right hon. Friend is considering whether any changes should be made in the methods and penalties available to the courts for dealing with offences of drunkenness, but in the interests of law and order drunkenness in certain circumstances must remain a criminal offence.