HC Deb 22 January 1930 vol 234 cc197-8
22. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Minister of Transport how many prosecutions, if any, have taken place since the issue of the order relating to the noise of road vehicles on 1st August, 1929; whether there has been any diminution in the amount of noise as a result of such order; and whether he intends to introduce legislation dealing with noises on railways, tubes, and other traffic?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

With reference to the first part of the question I am informed that the numbers of prosecutions which have been instituted from the 1st August to the 31st December, 1929, are:—

(a) Under the Motor Cars (Excessive Noise) Regulations, 1929 1,282
(b) For ineffective silencers, under the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) Orders 6,116
(c) For failing to stop action of machinery, under the Motor Cars (Use and Construction) Orders 8
Total 7,406

With reference to the second part of the question, there is reason to believe that the issue of the Motor Cars (Excessive Noise) Regulations, 1929, has had a beneficial effect in reducing the amount of noise caused by motor vehicles. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. HARRIS

Has the hon. Gentleman's Department discovered any machine yet for measuring noise?