HC Deb 08 July 1977 vol 934 cc696-7W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many social surveys have been conducted in Darlington to measure the success of the noise experiment; what areas of inquiry each survey covered; who conducted them; and what was the cost of each one.

Mr. Denis Howell

No social survey has yet been carried out to measure the success of the experiment, which is not due to end until September 1978. A preliminary survey, to assess public attitudes to noise in the town has been carried out by Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic at a cost of £6,682.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors were taken into consideration by the Noise Advisory Council before Darlington was selected for the experiment on noise.

Mr. Denis Howell

The factors taken into consideration by the Noise Advisory Council were that the town should be of medium size, have a mixture of residential and industrial development, and a suitably experienced environmental health department.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost to public funds of the experiment in Darlington on noise currently being conducted by the Noise Advisory Council.

Mr. Denis Howell

About £30,000 spread over two years.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed on the experiment in Darlington on noise currently being conducted by the Noise Advisory Council.

Mr. Denis Howell

The work in Darlington is being carried out by the existing staff of the environmental health department as part of their day-to-day work on noise abatement. One additional person, a graphic designer, has been engaged under the Manpower Services Commission's job creation scheme to prepare publicity material.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many "Say No to Noise" badges, posters and tee-shirts have been produced by the experiment of the Noise Advisory Council in Darlington; and what was their cost to public funds.

Mr. Denis Howell

10,200 badges have been bought at a cost of £340. 2,500 posters have been printed at a cost of £559. 40 T-shirts have been purchased for £55. The total cost of these three types of item has, therefore, been £954.