HC Deb 22 December 1971 vol 828 cc380-1W
Mr. Havers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what directions have been given to officers in the Metropolitan Police in resepect of disclosure to the Press that a positive breathalyser test has been obtained from a driver of a motor vehicle when no arrest or charge has been made, respectively.

Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what circumstances the Metropolitan Police make public the findings of a breathalyser test prior to the issue of a summons or preferment of charges against the person tested;

(2) in what circumstances the Metropolitan Police make public the fact that a named person has been detained for questioning or other inquiries prior to the issue of a summons or preferment of charges against the person in question;

(3) what is his policy concerning the publication by the Metropolitan Police of the findings of a breathalyser test prior to the issue of a summons or the preferment of charges against the person tested;

(4) what is his policy concerning the publication by the Metropolitan Police of the fact that a named person has been detained for questioning or other inquiries before a summons has been issued or charges preferred against the person in question;

(5) what directives he has given to the Metropolitan Police concerning information which may be divulged to the public relating to named persons who have been detained for questioning or other inquiry and, in particular, for breathalyser testing.

Mr. Sharples

It is not the practice of the Metropolitan Police to make public the name of a person being questioned or the result of a breath test before a summons is issued or a charge preferred, but facts already known to an inquirer may be confirmed

Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many cases in the Metropolitan Police area during each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 was information made public by the Metropolitan Police relating to the findings of a breathalyser test prior to the issue of a summons or the preferment of a charge against the person tested;

(2) in how many cases in the Metropolitan Police area during each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 was information made public by the Metropolitan Police that a named person had been detained for questioning or other inquiries prior to issue of a summons or preferment of charges against the person in question.

Mr. Sharples

None, so far as can be ascertained, except in confirmation of facts already known to an inquirer.