§ Mr. WolfsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the report of the committee considering a noise insulation standard for new railway lines; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. FreemanI am publishing today the report of the committee set up last March by my predecessor, to recommend a national noise insulation standard for new railway lines which equitably relates to the standard set by regulations for new highways. A copy has been placed in the Library.
I should like to express my thanks to the Chairman, Dr. C. G. B. Mitchell of the transport and road research laboratory, and members of the committee for the careful and thorough way they have carried out their task. I am also grateful to all those who submitted evidence to the committee.
The intention underlying the setting up of the committee was that the establishing of a standard or standards comparable to that applying to new road construction was an essential first step towards drawing up noise insulation regulations for new railway lines. We shall study the report carefully. Before deciding on its recommendations we should like to have the views on them of British Rail, London Regional Transport and other railway operators, whom I am consulting, and of other interested persons. In due course I shall announce the Government's conclusions and subsequently we shall consult widely on the drafting of the regulations.