§ Mr. GARRO JONESasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the strain imposed by the noise of electric drills upon aged, feeble, and ailing members of the community as well as upon the robust; whether their use in urban areas is necessary; what additional cost would be involved by their abolition; what additional labour would find employment in consequence; and whether he will weigh the considerations specified above with a view to the abolition of the din caused by these implements?
§ Sir A. POWNALLasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the intolerable noise frequently caused by pneumatic street drills; and whether there is any efficient silencer the fitting and use of which could be rendered compulsory?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am most sensible of the disturbance caused by these instruments, which I have no legal powers to prohibit. In so far as my Department can encourage efforts to promote greater silence in pneumatic drills and otherwise it has done so and will do so to the fullest extent of its powers.