HC Deb 02 July 2002 vol 388 cc210-1W
Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory requirements there are for drug and alcohol screening tests for employees of transport companies. [65789]

Mr. Jamieson

There are no statutory screening tests for employees of transport companies.

The Government are aware that many transport operators already have strict policies that may include screening programmes.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce drug screening tests alongside breathalysers for traffic offences. [65790]

Mr. Jamieson

Drug screening is already used by the majority of police forces who have trained officers in the techniques of drug recognition and tests of impairment. Devices that detect the presence of drugs chemically are being developed and tested by a number of commercial companies. If these prove successful and appropriate, they may be used to assist the police at the roadside. Under current legislation the police do not have the same power to test drivers at the roadside for possible drugs as they do for alcohol. It is the Government's intention to amend the legislation to enable this.