HC Deb 17 May 1972 vol 837 cc510-1
>15. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to introduce an annual noise certification test for all vehicles two years old or more, to be issued concurrently with the Ministry of Transport certificate.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

My right hon. Friend is now considering an extension of the annual test to cover noise following the recent report from the Noise Advisory Council.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the present noise enforcement procedures are not catching those who are creating most noise from motor vehicles and that the existing Ministry of Transport testing, while adequate in many respects, is totally inadequate in catching those driving "bangers" and noisy motor-bikes?

Mr. Griffiths

There is undoubtedly room for improvement, but the police bring about 14,000 successful prosecutions each year in this respect and my right hon. Friend is considering whether the annual test can be extended to cover such things as silencers, defective of otherwise.

Mr. Tinn

I, too, welcome the hon. Gentleman's reply. What steps are being taken to ensure that when vehicles are designed, sometimes with deliberate appeal to younger drivers or riders—beach buggies, motor cycles and so on—they are not designed specifically to make a noise, quite regardless of the test?

Mr. Griffiths

My right hon. Friend has indicated his intention to impose further restrictions at the manufacturing stage of particularly noisy vehicles. I think the hon. Gentleman has made a good point and I will be glad to look into it further.