HC Deb 10 June 1974 vol 874 c471W
Mr. Ronald Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists and pedestrians were prosecuted for drunkenness in 1973; and now the number of prosecutions compares with previous years.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

The following is the available information:

TABLE I
Persons proceeded against for driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs
England and Wales
1969 25,296
1970 27,706
1971 40,767
1972 49,266
1973 56,947
TABLE II *
Persons proceeded against for offences of drunkenness (other then offences included in Table 1)
England and Wales
1969 84,328
1970 86,180
1971 90,675
1972 96,507
1973 98,990
* It is not known how many of those proceeded against were pedestrians.
TABLE I
Persons proceeded against for driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs
England and Wales
1969 25,296
1970 27,706
1971 40,767
1972 49,266
1973 56,947
TABLE II *
Persons proceeded against for offences of drunkenness (other then offences included in Table 1)
England and Wales
1969 84,328
1970 86,180
1971 90,675
1972 96,507
1973 98,990
* It is not known how many of those proceeded against were pedestrians.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the law relating to drunkenness.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

No. In particular, it is the Government's objective to bring into force as soon as practicable the provisions of Section 91 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, so as to substitute treatment at an approved centre for imprisonment as a penalty for the offence of being drunk and disorderly.