§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into permanent hearing impairment caused by excessive noise levels faced by young people in places of public entertainment; and what plans his Department has to fund research into the level of hearing impairment amongst young people and the causes of such impairment. [12069]
§ Mr. BowisThe Department has not commissioned any specific research into the effects of excessive noise levels in places of public entertainment, and has at present no plans to fund research into the level and causes of hearing impairment in young people.
The health and safety of people attending places of public entertainment are subject to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974. This includes the risk of damage to people's hearing.