§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of drivers breath-tested for alcohol in 1989–90; how many tests proved positive; and what was the comparable position in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI have been asked to reply.
Statistics of breath tests for England and Wales are published in Home Office statistical bulletins. The most recent annual statistics, for the calendar year 1990, were published in issue 16/91 on 23 July 1991. A copy of this bulletin is in the Library.
The following table shows for England and Wales the number of screening breath tests reported and the number of these with positive results for the financial years 1984–85 to 1989–90.
Number of screening breath tests and those with positive results—England and Wales Screening breath tests Total tests Number positive Thousands Thousands 1984–85 203.0 174.0 1985–86 263.3 180.0 1986–872 321.1 186.0 1987–88 420.0 103.3 1988–89 455.0 99.9 1989–90 557.6 98.3 1 Estimate using monthly figures for total tests and percentage negative. 2 Improvements in the comprehensiveness of reporting were made from 1 January 1987 so that figures for earlier years are not comparable.