§ 19. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will send a circular to local authorities asking them to provide him with a report on the progress they are making in dealing with the problem of industrial noise, as forecast in Circular 22 of 1967.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIn a few weeks, Sir.
§ Sir R. RussellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that industrial noise is getting worse year by year? Will he 1247 do everything possible to hasten consideration so that some action can be taken?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI have a great deal of sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman has said. I remind him that in 1967 my Ministry and the Welsh Office issued a circular calling for a determined attack by local authorities, using their powers under the Noise Abatement Act. It now seems fairly clear that these powers are defective, and I am hoping that, in the Public Health (Recurring Nuisances) Bill now before Parliament these defects will be repaired.