HC Deb 02 August 1926 vol 198 cc2625-6
63. Mr. BARCLAY-HARVEY

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the noise caused in many cases by motor cycles; and whether he will take steps to secure a stricter enforcement of the law relating to the use of silencers?

67. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the unnecessary noises created in the outer circle of Regent's Park by motorists and motor cyclists with open exhausts; and, in view of the discomfort and danger caused to invalids in the neighbourhood, whether he will devise some means of controlling or eliminating altogether this nuisance?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)

This subject has been engaging my attention for some time.

The question of improving silencers in motor cycles has been under discussion between the Ministry of Transport and the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers' and Traders' Union, but I regret nothing has resulted so far from the discussion. The only course now open to me is to instruct the police to take active steps to enforce the law, and I am accordingly doing so and issuing a warning to motorists that if they desire to escape liability to the penalty provided by the law they must see that their machines or any machine which they purchase are effectively silenced, and that they must so use and drive them as to reduce the noise of their exhausts as far as may be reasonably practicable.

Mr. HAYES

Is it not a fact that officers have been specially employed in detecting these offences, and that there have not been more detections is due to the inability more of police authorities to employ more officers on this work owing to many forces being under strength.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I told the House the other day that 4,000 prosecutions took place in London last year, and that does not seem to have had any effect. I am asking the police forces to see that the law is properly carried out.

Sir H. BR ITTA IN

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us a definition of an effective silencer?