§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of setting up an inquiry, on the lines of the Commission of Health of New York upon City Noise, into the injury done to public health by constant loud noises such as rivetting, pneumatic drills, motor horns and steam whistles?
§ Miss LAWRENCEMy right hon. Friend understands that the general question1508W of the effects of noise and vibration is still under investigation by the Industrial Health Research Board, and he does not therefore see the necessity for a special inquiry on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the desirability of taking the necessary action to control the vibration, fumes, or noise of certain steam-driven vehicles or to restrict their size, weight or number, in view of the menace to public health?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe Regualtions require that every motor vehicle shall be maintained and used in such a manner as to prevent as far as is reasonaby possible the emission of any fumes or visible vapour. I am not aware of any ground for the making of special regulations to deal with the fumes given off by steam-driven vehicles or of any evidence that the fumes emitted by motor vehicles of any type in the course of their ordinary use on the highway are a danger to public health. The vibration arising from motor vehicles can be reduced by encouraging the use of pneumatic tyres and by urging highway authorities to improve road surfaces. I am pursuing this policy, and considerable progress has been made in both directions. I have no power to control the number of any class of motor vehicle which complies with the law. The other matters referred to by my hon. Friend are dealt with in the Regulations which I have made under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, with respect to the Construction and Use of Motor Vehicles.