§ 15. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received from the Noise Abatement Society relating to complaints about continuous noise in the Coseley and Bilston areas of Staffordshire from industrial estates, with particular reference to an exceptional noise nuisance from the firm of Alexander Metal Company Limited; and what steps he proposes to take to abate this nuisance.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy right hon. Friend has received no specific representations. It is for the local authority, not for him, to take steps to abate a nuisance. The Coseley Urban District Council is aware of the position at the works mentioned but is not satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that planning permission was granted to the firm concerned against the wishes of the local council and that therefore the Ministry has some responsibility in this connection? Surely it is within the wit of man to reduce noise which is making the whole life of hundreds of people completely impossible. In this scientific age has not the Minister some idea how to reduce this dreadful nuisance?
§ Mr. CorfieldI do not think that it is a question of technical steps in the context of this Question. As for the planning issue, I am not aware that anything that this firm is doing iscontrary to any condition of planning permission, but there are powers under the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, for local authorities to investigate and consider the complaints and take action. It is for them to do so and not my right hon. Friend.