HL Deb 11 November 1970 vol 312 cc736-8

3.3 p.m.

LORD ARDWICK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the annual noise check on heavy lorries, announced by the last Government, is to be instituted].

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON:

My Lords, detailed studies are in progress on the practical and legal aspects of applying a static noise test at heavy goods vehicle testing stations.

LORD ARDWICK

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that six months ago the Government announced their intention of carrying out this noise check?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON:

Yes, my Lords, the Government are quite well aware of that. We agree in principle to the desirability of a test, and we are now examining how best it could be carried out. There are technical problems, as well as manpower and legal problems.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, can the Minister indicate when the studies which he has mentioned as taking place will be completed, and when a report on the matter may be expected?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I am sorry not to be able to give a completely satisfactory answer. It is difficult to predict exactly. The Ministry hope to be able to consult with the industry on the proposed testing method in the fairly near future. But it will probably still be a matter of a few months before I can give an exact answer.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, will the Minister bear in mind that this is regarded by many people as a matter of considerable urgency, as well as of importance?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

Yes, my Lords. As I said on November 3 in answer to another Question, the Government are going ahead on the point about noise. We are now talking about including a noise check in an annual static test. There are many problems, and we are considering alternative methods which might avoid problems and yet achieve effective inducement. I will give your Lordships one example. We could have mobile testers who would circulate around the stations in an area. They would arrive without warning and any vehicle due for test that day could be examined. People taking vehicles in for examination would never know whether there was going to be a check, and therefore they would have every inducement to keep their vehicles in a good state of maintenance.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, as one who dedicates his life to reducing noise, am I to understand from the noble Lord's reply that the Government intend to add to the number of snoopers who are daily interfering with the lives of free citizens?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I think it is rather hard to call a vehicle tester a "snooper".

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, is there any possibility of an annual test on the noise of motor-cycles?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, at the moment I do not think we have that down as a problem. But under the regulations which are being introduced in 1973 the noise level from motor-cycles is due to come down, as the noble Earl will be aware, and by 1980 it will be down still further.