§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many charges for motoring offences came before the courts in Northern Ireland in 1976 and in the last 12 months for which figures are available; if he will list the major subjects of such offences; and how much time proceedings on these offences occupied as a percentage of total court time.
§ Mr. MasonI am advised by the Chief Constable that information relating to prosecutions for all motoring offences is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort. However, during 1976, the last 12-month period for which figures are available, there were 23,708 convictions for major traffic offences, as follows:
732W
Drink, Drugs and Driving Major offences 3,193 Minor offences 959 Failing to provide a specimen 360 Failing to undergo medical examination 325 Dangerous driving 590 Careless driving 5,222 Insurance offences 3,852 Excess speed 4,550 Joyriding 1,042 Driving while disqualified 506 food, clothes, drink and other expenses; and how this compares with similar statistics in England, Wales and Scotland.
§ Mr. MasonThe information is contained in the table below. The average weekly amount spent on the items has been calculated as a percentage of the average weekly household income, based on the results of the Family Expenditure Surveys for the two years 1974 and 1975, the latest available figures. The figures are subject to sampling variation.
Accidents Failing to stop … 601 Failing to remain stationary … 440 Failing to give particulars … 88 Failing to report … 862 Miscellaneous offences … 1,118 23,708 It would not be possible without disproportionate effort to determine what percentage of court time is occupied in dealing with motoring offences.