HC Deb 09 November 1967 vol 753 c154W
47. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Alcotest breathalyser tube, as made by Normalair in West Germany and used by the police in this country, will be available and on sale to the general public in this country.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 7th November to a Question by the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell).— [Vol. 753, c. 86.]

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what stipulation was made on the part of Her Majesty's Government in the official negotiations with the manufacturers of the police breathalysers that this type of breathalyser should not be sold to the public.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

None.

Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breathalysers he expects to be used by the police in the coming 12 months; what is the anticipated cost to the Exchequer; and from whom they are being purchased.

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, one half of which will be met by the Exchequer. It is too early to estimate how many devices will be used by the police in the next 12 months.