HC Deb 20 March 1956 vol 550 c974
5. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Works whether, on appropriate occasions, he will consider the use of a loudspeaker, either from a van or from police cars, to request people not to leave litter lying about in the parks.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

At the suggestion of the Committee on Litter in the Royal Parks under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Seven-oaks, a loudspeaker appeal against the dropping of litter was made, as an experiment, from a boat on the Serpentine at Whitsun and again in August, 1954. I agree with the Committee in doubting whether loudspeaker appeals are generally appropriate in the Royal Parks, but I am bearing in mind the possibility of using them on special occasions.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these demands for increased noise are not appreciated by the public? The best way of dealing with this matter is to educate the children and to leave them to educate their parents not to leave litter around.

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

We should use this method only on special occasions. I am well aware of the fact that in trying to stop one nuisance it is not always a good thing to create another.