§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to bring forward measures to control and combat neighbourhood noise and to bring English law into line with Scottish law on this.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's policy on noise—including neighbourhood noise—is set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" and reflects much of thinking of the noise review working party that reported last autumn. A number of the working party's recommendations have already been accepted and we are actively working on others. My speech to the Noise Council seminar on 15 May summarised progress.
Some of the main neighbourhood noise measures which we have brought forward are as follows. The duty of local authorities to investigate complaints has been clarified. Also the Government are funding the first pilot neighbourhood noise awareness scheme which has been launched in Forest Hill, Lewisham. Its objective is to encourage the residents of an area to co-operate in agreeing on standards of behaviour to minimise noise annoyance. The Government have also accepted that the noise insulation standards for flat conversions should be as close to new build as practical, and we are also looking into the question of mandatory controls for burglar alarms. A study of levels of amplified music and acceptability to neighbours forms part of the Department's noise research programme.
The statutory control of noise by environmental health officers in Scotland is not dissimilar to that in England and Wales. But there are significant differences in police powers. In Scotland a uniformed officer may request a person to stop making a noise if it is considered to be 5W giving reasonable cause for annoyance. These powers appear to be infrequently used. Nevertheless, we are looking at the position in Scotland to see if any lessons can be learnt.