§ Mr. Lordasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, for the remainder of the period during which breath and blood tests in drink-drive cases are being monitored, motorists who exercise the option of a blood test will be able to have a second breath test on the evidential machine immediately after the blood test.
§ Mr. HurdWe fully understand the scientific value in conducting breath and blood tests as close in time as possible, so as to avoid the necessity for back calculations to allow for the elimination of alcohol from the body over time. We accept that it would be desirable, in a sample of cases where the option of a blood test is taken up, for the blood test to be closely followed by a second test on the evidential breath machine.
With the support of Sir William Paton, the independent scrutineer of the current monitoring arrangements, and in consultation with chief officers of police, a number of police forces are inviting motorists who opt for a blood-urine test to co-operate in this way by providing further breath specimens. This is entirely voluntary and for scientific purposes. The forces concerned are:
- Metropolitan Police
- Greater Manchester
- Gwent
- Hertfordshire
- Lancashire
- Sussex
- Warwickshire
- Wiltshire