§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his policy with regard to random breath testing by the police;
(2) what proposals he has for changing the law in relation to drink and driving offences; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Houghton and Washington (Mr. Boyes) on 5 November at column816.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the alleged use of random breath testing by the police; and in respect of which police forces.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have received two representations in the last 12 months about the use made of police powers to carry out breath tests: one from an hon. Member on behalf of a constituent and one from a member of the public. Both related to operations conducted by Sussex police.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will call for a report from the chief constable of Sussex as to the use by Sussex police of section 159 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 in relation to the breath testing of motorists; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Sussex as to the use of road blocks in relation to the recent drink-drive campaign; what steps the chief constable has taken to satisfy himself of the legality of such methods; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe chief constable of Sussex police has indicated that in enforcing the drink-drive legislation his officers have stopped all vehicles passing selected sites, using their powers under section 159 of the Road Traffic Act 1972. Breath tests have then been administered to the driver when there were grounds to do so under section 7 of the 1972 Act. The chief constable satisfied himself that this approach was lawful before authorising the operation.