HC Deb 21 March 1973 vol 853 cc114-5W
Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the nuisance caused, particularly to shift workers and the parents of young children, through the sounding of mechanical chimes from ice cream vans; and if he will introduce legislation to bring this form of advertising within the general ban on loudspeaker or amplifier advertising under the Noise Abatement Act.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Under the Noise Abatement Act 1960 ice cream chimes may be sounded only between 12 noon and 7 p.m. and in such a way as not to annoy people in the vicinity. My right hon. and learned Friend recognises that this kind of noise can still be a nuisance to people such as shift workers. The Noise Advisory Council has set up a special working group to examine noise which is a nuisance in public places, and this will be one of the matters it will consider.

Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures showing the number of accidents involving children associated with ice cream vans for 1970, 1971 and 1972.

Mr. Speed

This information is not available, but studies by local road safety units have suggested that about one in twenty child pedestrian casualties arises from accidents in the vicinity of ice cream vans.