§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the nature and terms of reference of the work commissioned by his Department 221W to study the impact of noise pollution in the countryside; who has the contract for this work; when it commenced; and when he expects a report to be (a) completed and (b) made public; [16850]
(2) at which locations and for which activities testing for noise has taken place in South Yorkshire as part of his Department's investigations into the impact of noise pollution in the countryside; [16851]
(3) what plans his Department has to consult local environmental groups in areas where his Department is testing for noise pollution. [16852]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answers 24 February 1997]: In March 1996, the Building Research Establishment was contracted by my Department to recommend a suitable technique for the measurement and assessment of noise from clay target shooting, taking into account its impact on local communities. The recommended technique will be incorporated into a new code of practice on minimising noise from clay target shooting being prepared by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and the British Shooting Sports Council.
The research involves the measurement of noise from 16 shooting sites in England, together with surveys of the reaction to the noise of residents living close to the sites. In South Yorkshire, measurements and surveys have been undertaken in Grenoside, Sheffield. The research does not involve consultation with local environmental groups.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of March 1997. My Department's policy is that, unless there are overriding reasons to the contrary, research findings are published as soon as possible after completion of the project.