§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to ensure that the emission of smoke and noise on defence property that might cause a public nuisance will be kept to the minimum necessary to protect the national interest.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)The policy of the Ministry of Defence is to act at all times in an142WA environmentally responsible manner. However, essential activities, such as military training and research, unavoidably result in the emission of smoke and noise, in consequence of which an amendment has been tabled to the Environmental Protection Bill to exempt such nuisances which occur on defence premises. It is intended that the nuisance caused by smoke and noise will be kept to a minimum and I have placed in the Library a policy statement to this effect which is being circulated within the department and to visiting forces.