Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 July 2002. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 22 July 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for the implementation of section 31A, Part 4 of the Police Reform Bill. - (Holding answer 16 July 2002).

Answer: Mrs. Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for the implementation of section 31A, part 4 of the Police Reform Bill. [70363] Mr. Denham: [holding answer 16 July 2002]: The legislation to which I assume the hon. Member refers is section 31A of the Transport and Works Act 1992, which is to be inserted by clause 59 of the Police Reform Bill. The provision is parallel to the new section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to be inserted by clause 57 of the Bill. Both make provision for blood specimens to be taken without consent where, after an accident, a person cannot for medical reasons give valid consent. It is customary for provisions within a Bill to be brought into effect no sooner than three months after Royal Assent. Subject to that, we intend that these measures should be brought into effect at the earliest possible moment. We have already entered into discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on the issue of appropriate guidance to the police and shall be liaising with the Department of Health, the British Medical Association and the Association of Police Surgeons in order to ensure that the new procedures run smoothly.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 70363; 389 c827W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Alcoholic drinks Accidents Blood alcohol levels Blood Drugs Driving under influence Police Powers Misuse Roads Testing
Legislation: Police Reform Bill (HL) 2001/02
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk