§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he will seek to apply the same standards of construction and sound proofing which are incorporated in the Rolls/Foden quiet lorry more widely to ensure a reduction in lorry noise levels;
(2) when he hopes to implement the recommendations of the Wilson committee that maximum permitted lorry noise levels should be speedily reduced to 85 decibels;
(3) if he will list the meetings which have taken place between either himself and the appropriate EEC Minister or Commissioner or his officials and their EEC counterparts on the subject of a reduction of lorry noise levels; and if he will make a statement;
(4) if he will introduce legislation to reduce lorry noise levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoramNew noise limits were agreed within the EEC in 1977 following extensive discussions at official level and agreement by the Foreign Affairs Council on 8 March. For EEC type approval purposes the new limits will be mainly applicable from April 1980, but regulations are now being prepared to make them compulsory for all new vehicles manufactured after October 1982 and brought into use after April 1983. A limit of 86 dB(A) is proposed for goods vehicles with a gross weight of over 35 tonnes with the exception of those of over 12 tonnes and256W 200 hp. For these a limit of 88 dB(A) is proposed. The level of 86 dB(A) is comparable, allowing for differences in test procedure, with the general limit of 85 dB(A) recommended by the Wilson committee.
These limits are not, however, stringent enough for the longer term; and at official discussions with the Commission in December of last year the Department's representative was instructed to press for early consideration of tighter limits in the light of the results of the quiet heavy vehicle project. The Commission has agreed to this, and a preliminary exchange of views between officials is likely to take place at the end of the month.