Driving: Blood Alcohol Limit

Debate between Lord Swinfen and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 12th December 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, during the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill this afternoon we will be taking the drug-driving provisions through. There are two pieces of equipment to be approved: the station-based drug testing equipment, which is on track to be approved by the Home Office shortly, and the roadside drug testing equipment, which is a little more difficult; we need to wait for the outcome of the expert panel which is looking at the appropriate levels before we can set its specification.

[Lord Swinfen]

My Lords, how long does it take for the blood alcohol level to return to zero from 80 milligrams when the alcohol disperses naturally?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I do not know, but the key point is that there is no safe limit of alcohol in the blood when driving a vehicle. Therefore, we advise that the best option is not to drink at all.

Airports: Heathrow

Debate between Lord Swinfen and Earl Attlee

Monday 28th May 2012 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I can assure the House that I shall listen very carefully to noble Lords’ input on the aviation Bill as it passes through the House.

[Lord Swinfen]

My Lords, what is being done to produce quieter aircraft?

[Earl Attlee]

Could my noble friend repeat the question?

[Noble Lords]

Oh!

[Lord Swinfen]

Certainly. I asked my noble friend what is being done to produce quieter aircraft.

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, there is a great incentive to produce quieter aircraft because of the quota system at Heathrow. I understand that the next generation of aircraft will be 50% quieter.

Airports: London

Debate between Lord Swinfen and Earl Attlee

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Swinfen]

My Lords, what proposals are there for the expansion of Manston Airport, which has a trunk road running along its southern boundary and a railway line about a mile away?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, that will be considered in the wider strategy, and no doubt the south-east airport study will look at it as well. I have to say, however, that although Manston has some attractions, it is quite a long way from London.

Government: Ministerial Cars

Debate between Lord Swinfen and Earl Attlee

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, in 2009-10, expenditure was £11.2 million; in 2010-11, it will be reduced to £7.6 million and in 2011-12 it will be down to £5.6 million. We hope to keep it at about that level.

[Lord Swinfen]

My Lords, are retired Prime Ministers still issued with a government car and chauffeur and under what circumstances may they use them?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, this is a Question about ministerial cars. I would rather not be drawn into the issue of the Prime Minister’s or the Deputy Prime Minister’s car.

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, if the noble Lord thinks that the Ministerial Code has not been completely complied with, he should write a letter to the Cabinet Secretary. On the question about certain former Ministers, on security grounds they may have the use of an allocated car and driver.

[Lord Swinfen]

With the leave of the House, let me say that I do not think that the Minister heard my question properly. I did not ask about existing Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers; I asked about retired Prime Ministers. Would he answer my original question?

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, the answer remains the same. On security grounds, former Prime Ministers and Ministers may continue to have the use of an allocated car and driver.