§ Mr. AlexanderTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the drink driving rehabilitation scheme; and what plans he has to extend it to other parts of the country. [101919]
§ Mr. HillThe experimental rehabilitation scheme for drink drive offenders has been running since 1993 and 175 court areas are currently designated to refer offenders to courses. Research carried out for the Department has shown that those who attend a rehabilitation course are three times less likely to reoffend than those who do not. Having now been approved by both Houses of Parliament, the scheme will be made permanent and will operate throughout Great Britain from 1 January 2000. We are issuing guidance about the scheme to all course providers and to the courts, and will place a copy in the Library of both Houses.