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Road Safety (Alcohol).

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.

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Mr. David Adams:

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has investigated the question of the lowest concentration of alcohol in the blood which may be incompatible with the safe control of a motor vehicle; and with what result?

Photo of Mr Edward Burgin Mr Edward Burgin , Luton

No, Sir. The Medical Research Council and the British Medical Association investigated the relationship of alcohol to road accidents in 1935, at the request of my predecessor, but they did not deal with this aspect of the question.

Mr. Adams:

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer which I do not regard as satisfactory, will he consider some information upon this subject if I submit it in due course?

Viscountess Astor:

Can the Minister deny that the British Medical Association reported to his predecessor that there was serious objection to the consumption of alcohol, even in the smallest amount, by anyone who is driving? Can he deny that? He cannot. May we not have an answer to the question?

Photo of Mr Edward Burgin Mr Edward Burgin , Luton

I trust that the Noble Lady will be good enough to put the question on the Paper.

Viscountess Astor:

Certainly not.

Photo of Mr Edward Burgin Mr Edward Burgin , Luton

I cannot on this occasion go into matters arising out of a question which was put to my predecessor and which concerns the introduction of a new principle.

Viscountess Astor:

Is it not the duty of the Minister, seeing the increase in the number of accidents, to look into it and see what the British Medical Association said, instead of giving an answer like that?

Photo of Mr Edward Burgin Mr Edward Burgin , Luton

I am quite sure that no medical association ever suggested a compulsory blood test, and I am not going to introduce it.

Viscountess Astor:

I never said that they did.

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