§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to seek to provide that keyholders of premises fitted with alarm bells should be obliged to make themselves available at the premises within 20 minutes and that the names of two keyholders to such premises be notified to the police; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldI have been asked to reply.
The code of practice on noise from audible intruder alarms, issued under the provisions of part III of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, recommends that keyholders of premises with alarm bells should take measures on the lines described by the hon. Member. The code, though not having the force of law, is widely used by local authorities and magistrates' courts in the exercise of their powers under the Act, and I see no need for any change.