§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he had received at the latest available date regarding the Lion Intoximeter 3000.
§ Mr. HurdSince the introduction of the Lion Intoximeter in May 1983, 39 letters commenting on these machines have been received by the headquarters division of the Home Office which is concerned with traffic matters. In the time available it has not been possible to check how much relevant correspondence has been received by other divisions or to distinguish complaints about particular machines from comments about these instruments as a general class.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the Lion Intoximeter 3000 was not available for use on Wednesday 29 February as it was not programmed for a leap year, what additional instructions were issued to the Metropolitan police and what alternatives were available on that day; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe Metropolitan police, in common with other forces, were advised, following consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, that specimens of blood or urine should be required on 29 February 1984 instead of using the Intoximeter.