§ Mr. John TownendTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of motorists breathalysed during the pre-Christmas period proved positive; and what was the proportion during the same period in 1995. [13081]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 28 January 1997]: Figures collected by the Home Office do not enable the pre-Christmas period to be separately identified. The available information relates to the total number of screening breath tests required, and the number which proved positive or were refused, in each calender month.
The latest such information was published in table 3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Breath Test Statistics, England and Wales 1995", issue 7/96, a copy of which is listed. Figures for 1996 are not yet available, but will be published in the spring.
Table 3: Screening breath tests and number positive or refused by month England and Wales 1995 Numbers and percentages Month Total tests Positive/refused Percentage positive/refused January 54,100 7,000 13 February 48,100 7,000 15 March 49,700 7,700 16 April 47,200 8,200 17 May 46,100 7,700 17 June 49,400 7,200 15 July 53,300 7,700 14 August 52,000 8,200 16 September 47,500 7,900 17 October 54,000 8,600 16 November 59,800 8,300 14 December 141,400 8,900 6 Total 702,700 94,400 13