Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 November 1999. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the possible introduction and use of a reacting portable device for drug testing of road users; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the possible introduction and use of a reacting portable device for drug testing of road users; and if he will make a statement. [97927] Mr. Hill: Driving while unfit through drugs is an offence and we are therefore working with the police and the Home Office on the development of recognition techniques and screening devices to help them enforce the law more effectively. When suitable equipment is available we would want the police to have the power to require suspected drivers to give samples for screening. This would need primary legislation.

Secondary information