HC Deb 18 February 1972 vol 831 cc178-9W
Miss Joan Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of offences for the past five years of forgery and/or using a driving licence with intent to deceive in England and Wales; and what are the amounts in fines.

Mr. Sharples

The information is as follows in relation to offences of forgery, altering, using or lending a driving licence and of making or possessing a document resembling a driving licence, with intent to deceive:

Mr. Maudling

Since the Report of this Working Party was published, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and I have consulted various bodies concerned with the problems of alcoholism. We have concluded that facilities for persons who are habitually drunk in public places ought normally to be provided as part of a comprehensive counselling, treatment and rehabilitation service for alcoholics and others with drink problems.

This is primarily a socio-medical matter and we have therefore decided that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services should be responsible for generally carrying out the rehabilitative measures recommended in the report.

Discussions are in progress about establishing several pilot detoxification centres based on selected hospitals. The provision of adequate hostel accommodation will necessarily take time, but my right hon. Friend is already in touch with some of the authorities and organisations likely to be involved. For the time being, the Home Office will continue to offer grants to voluntary bodies which provide hostel facilities for alcoholic offenders; and I shall keep in close touch with my right hon. Friend to ensure that the services with which I am concerned are enabled to make their full contribution in this field and that my responsibilities for the after-care of offenders with drink problems are discharged in close co-operation with his Department.