§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ensure compliance with the targets for night time noise exposure contained in the EC fifth action programme; if he will compile a national inventory of noise exposure levels; if he will set up a national noise abatement programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe draft planning policy guidance note on "Planning and Noise" recommends a range of noise levels for each of four noise exposure categories. These include proposed levels for noise between the hours of 23.00 and 07.00 which are in line with the targets for night time noise contained in the EC fifth environment action programme. My Department has recently completed the national noise incidence study which involved noise measurements being made outside 1,000 homes in England and Wales during 1990 and has provided information on noise exposure levels. The results of the study will be published later this year. My Department's noise research programme also includes several projects which involve the measuring and monitoring of noise from various sources and developing ways in which exposure to noise can be reduced.