HC Deb 19 January 1994 vol 235 cc599-600W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the method of enforcement will be for the proposed stage II noise limits of motor cycles.

Mr. Key

There will be two aspects to the enforcement of the stage II noise limits. In the case of new motor cycles, the manufacturer will have to seek and obtain a valid type approval certificate to the noise directive prior to sale and registration. The date of mandatory application of these limits has yet to be agreed by the EC Council of Ministers.

As far as in-use enforcement is concerned, on 10 January I made regulations which require that both original and replacement silencers for motor cycles be marked as complying with a relevant EC directive or—for replacement silencers—an equivalent British standard. I am also now drawing up regulations to control the supply of replacement silencers at point of sale.