§ 23. Mr. Marquandasked the Minister of Labour what reports he has received from the Factory Inspectorate concerning excessive noise at the Tees-side Bridge and Enginering works in Middlesbrough.
§ Mr. MarquandIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the noise from this works has recently been so great as to lead to very strong protests from residents in houses quite a long distance away? If the noise so badly affects the residents in the district, does not it follow that it must affect equally adversely the workers at the works? Whilst recognising that his right hon. Friend has no special responsibility at the moment for the prevention of noise, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he would consider instituting the sort of study on Tees-side of this problem which he suggested in a recent speech. He can find many examples there of noisy undertakings and one or two examples of undertakings which take great care to prevent noise.
§ Mr. WoodThe right hon. Gentleman's remarks raise many issues that are outside the Question. I understand that complaints were made about the noise 1175 but not to the Factory Inspectorate. They were made to local councils by people who could not get to sleep because of it. As the right hon. Gentleman has pointed out, this is not a matter for the Factory Inspectorate or the Ministry of Labour. I will look into the other things to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, and perhaps he will table a Question about them.