§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory powers are available to environmental health officers to take action to prevent noise made by commercial premises situated in residential areas disturbing members of the public who live in the vicinity; what plans he has to strengthen those powers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonLocal authorities' duties and powers in relation to noise are defined in Part III of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and include provision to take legal action against the perpetrators of a noise nuisance. The Act also allows private individuals to take similar action on their own account.
I am not aware of any serious criticism of the noise provisions of the Act.