HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 cc137-8W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the draft codes of practice for minimising noise currently being considered by his Department for approval under section 71 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; when he intends to approve these codes of practice; and whether he intends to consult on any further codes of practice.

Mr. Trippier

The Department is currently involved in work relating to four draft codes of practice which are at various stages of advancement. These are:

  1. (i) Code of practice on noise from clay pigeon shooting. This has been drawn up by the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association. 138 Complex technical issues have arisen and it has been necessary to carry out two consultation exercises. It is anticipated that the results of the latest consultation exercise will be discussed with the CPSA when these have been fully analysed.
  2. (ii) Code of practice on noise from audible birdscarers. The department set up a working party which included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the National Farmers Union, the Institution of Environmental Health Officers and the Building Research Establishment. There have been two consultation exercises and the results of the later one have yet to be analysed in order to determine what further work may be necessary.
  3. (iii) Code of practice on noise from off-road motorcycle sport. A consortium comprising members from the Noise Council, the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection and representatives from the motorcycle manufacturers and user groups have recently drawn up a draft which has been discussed with officials. The consortium is to carry out a consultation exercise shortly.
  4. (iv) Code of practice on noise control at open air pop concerts. A Noise Council working party recently submitted a draft to the Department for initial comments and officials are to meet with them in July to discuss it. There will be consultation.

In its report the noise review working party recommended that codes of practice be used as a means of controlling environmental noise and that work should proceed as quickly as possible on the above codes. The Government have undertaken to complete work on codes under discussion. This we will do as soon as our work in responding to the recommendations of the noise review working party will allow.

We will consider the case for further codes if a need arises. There would be consultation on the drafts.

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