§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made over the last five years(a) within his Department, (b) in conjunction with other Government departments and (c) in conjunction with European bodies towards developing systems involving the use of new technology for safety-related road traffic law enforcement and the administration of penalties. [62543]
§ Mr. BoatengSince 1 January 1994, we have type approved for police use 10 speed measuring devices which operate using the various technologies of radar, lasers or sensors across the road. The most recent available figures show that 34 per cent. of the speed offences dealt with by the police were detected by automatic cameras. For drink drive law enforcement we have also type approved 1 alcohol screening device for roadside use and 3 evidential breath alcohol testing instruments. Research is underway into possible devices to enable the police to screen for drugs driving offences at the roadside.
112WCriminal Attempts Act 1981 or section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 at (i) Heathrow Airport and (ii) Gatwick Airport in each financial year since 1993–94. [62390]
§ Mr. BoatengThis information is not normally collected centrally. However, the Metropolitan police have been able to provide information on persons accused—that is, a count of persons arrested and subsequently proceeded against—and persons charged. The information relates to persons accused in the Heathrow division of attempting to commit a notifiable offence and those accused under section 3 and 4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. The information is shown in the table.
The information for Gatwick airport is not available as this would incur disproportionate cost since manual searches through individual records would be required.
In 1996, the Police Research Group published a cost benefit study of police enforcement cameras, the findings of which encouraged the wider use of camera technology to reduce road casualties. Home Office scientists have published a number of technical specifications and standards for various technologies to assist manufacturers to meet the needs of law enforcement. A new technical specification for police vehicle livery has been designed to provide greater safety by improving the visibility of police vehicles.
Scientists at the Police Scientific Development Branch and Forensic Science Service continue to test systems developed by manufacturers with a view to their being type approved for police use. The Department is also supporting a project on the possible use of simulation technology for police driver training.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of road traffic offenders were sentenced to(a) a re-test and (b) an extended re-test for the offences of (i) causing death by dangerous driving and (ii) dangerous driving in each of the last three years. [62551]
113W
§ Mr. BoatengThe readily available information relates to the percentage of findings of guilt for offences of causing death by dangerous driving (including causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs and causing death by aggravated vehicle taking) and dangerous driving, which resulted in a requirement to undertake a driving test in England and Wales in the years 1995 to 1997, and is as follows:
Findings of guilt for dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving etc. that resulted in a driving test requirement
in England and Wales
Causing death by dangerous driving etc. Dangerous driving 1995 Number 53 1,997 Percentage 16 31 1996 Number 9 1,900 Percentage 3 33
Defendats proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences related to, but not necessarily involving, illegal tipping
England and Wales 1995–97
1995 1996 1997 Offence description Prosecutions Convictions Prosecutions Convictions Prosecutions Convictions Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste in or on land without a licence1 111 80 121 95 98 87 Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition of controlled special waste in or on land without a licence2 30 23 32 24 19 19 Handling, controlling or transferring controlled waste without taking reasonable measures. Failing to comply with the Secretary of State's requirements3 69 49 105 81 89 72 Contravening regulations of a waste management licence4 65 50 94 62 84 59 Failure to comply with Regulation 18 of the Special Waste Regulations 1996 7— 7— 7— 7— 1— 1— Abandoning items on any land without lawful authority5 98 79 77 57 78 65 Transporting controlled waste in the course of a business or otherwise with a view to profit without registering as a carrier6 21 15 11 10 9 6 1 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(8) 2 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(9) 3 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 34 4 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(6) 5 Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, sec 2 6 Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, sec 1 7 Not applicable Source:
Home Office Court Proceedings Database