HC Deb 08 November 1967 vol 753 cc131-2W
Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the present suppliers of breathalysers to the police; what quantities have been obtained and at what cost; and whether he will give an assurance that the arrangements for the supply of these breathalysers to the police would not be jeopardised in any way by the manufacturers making them available on sale to the public.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

One million breath-testing devices are being obtained for the police from Draeger Normalair Ltd. at a contract price of £195,000. I can give the hon. and gallant Member the assurance for which he asks.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what undertakings he sought from the German manufacturers of the breathalysers supplied to the police about their availability in any country other than Great Britain; and what representations have been made to him about the importation of these breathalysers from foreign countries.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Answer to both parts of the Question is "None".

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make arrangements to ensure that whatever type of breathalysers are made available to the police in this country for the enforcement of the Road Safety Act, the formula for their contents will be freely available to other manufacturers who are prepared to produce them in bulk and make them available to the public.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I have no authority to require manufacturers to reveal such information; but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell) on 7th November. —[Vol. 753, c.86.]