§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage take-up of blood and urine tests by persons also tested with the Lion Intoximeter 3000; if he is satisfied with the take-up; what steps he is taking to increase the take-up; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIn the period 6 May to 31 December 1983 57 per cent. of those tested on the Lion Intoximeter who had readings in the range 40–50 microgrammes of alcohol to 100 millitres of breath went on to request a blood or urine test. We estimate, on the basis of available information, that around 60 per cent. of those tested on the intoximeter during the period 1 January 1984 to 15 April 1984 who had readings in this range requested a blood or urine test. In the period 15 April to 15 October a blood or urine test requested by 69 per cent. of those given evidential breath tests who had readings in the 40–50 microgrammes range, and by 37 per cent. of those given such tests who had readings over 50 microgrammes. The figures for this period include persons tested on both the Lion Intoximeter and the Camic Breath Analyser.
We will be examining these statistics in more detail, as well as other matters relating to evidential breath testing, 643W when the full report of the six-month monitoring of evidential breath testing is available, and will then consider whether changes to present procedures would be desirable.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the final report on the accuracy of the Lion Intoximeter 3000 to be available; and when it is expected to be published.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWe expect the report on the six-month monitoring of the operation of the Lion Intoximeter and the Camic Breath Analyser to be completed early in the new year and to be published shortly afterwards.