§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the code of practice on noise from burglar alarms, ice-cream van chimes and model aircraft will be published; and what advice the codes will propose.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI am pleased to announce that my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales will shortly lay orders before Parliament which they have recently made under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 approving three codes of practice prepared by the Department, after extensive consultation with the local authority associations, the Institution of Environmental Health Officers, the relevant parts of industry, those organisations concerned with the particular noise sources, and other interested bodies and individuals. These codes offer advice on minimising noise nuisance from audible intruder alarms, ice-cream van chimes and model aircraft. These have proved to be three persistent causes of annoyance. There has been widespread pressure for several years for this guidance. The codes are intended to assist in reducing the possibility of nuisance arising at source, and in guiding those concerned with controlling it under the legislation. The codes will be issued under cover of an explanatory circular, and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library.
Earlier this year, I drew attention to the Government's continuing commitment to contain and reduce noise nuisance whenever and wherever possible. The issue of these codes is an example of our work. The codes expect co-operation from all concerned to remove one source of nuisance. I am very aware of the annoyance and unhappiness which people experience when disturbed by noise from these or other activities. Because of this I have asked my Department to issue an up-to-date layman's guide to the law on noise nuisance problems entitled "Bothered by Noise? What you Can Do About It". This provides information on an individual's rights and the remedies available on all aspects of noise. It will be available as a free booklet early in the new year. In addition I am considering the possibility of offering further guidance, prepared by the Department or others, on the treatment of noise nuisance from other activities. I have previously mentioned in the House that all-night noisy parties is one such subject. I have been consulting local government about this and hope to issue guidance very shortly.
As part of our campaign to inform and educate society about the scope for reducing noise, we have recently published the Noise Advisory Council's report of the 321W Darlington quiet town experiment—the first of its kind in the world. We have published a further version of the free booklet on noise abatement zones, revised to take account of improved procedures under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. We are also revising DOE circular 10/73 "Planning and Noise", which gives advice to local government on the relationship between noise from all kinds of sources and land use planning. It is important to get the revision right, and make it as comprehensive as possible. My Department is consulting other Departments prior to consulting more widely.
I am confident that, with the continuing efforts of all concerned, we shall further abate noise nuisance and improve the environment.