§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to control noise from motor cycles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerRevised rules on motor cycle noise limits that have applied since last April have meant that new motor cycles are now quieter than ever before. But replacement exhaust systems are available which are much less effective than the manufacturers' original equipment. These result in much of the excess noise about which the public rightly complain.
I announced in August that a standard for replacement exhausts had been drawn up by the British Standards Institution, the Department, manufacturers, retailers and users. I also published draft regulations to prohibit the sale and use of systems which do not bear specified markings on new motor cycles.
I am pleased to say that our proposals have been generally welcomed by all concerned. However, for legal reasons we are not able to proceed with regulations under the Consumer Safety Act and the regulations which have now been laid before Parliament have been made under the Road Traffic Act 1972.