Night Noise Nuisance

EDM number 256 in 1994-95, proposed by Ken Livingstone on 12/12/1994.

That this House records its deep concern and regret at recent homicides and the two tragic suicides in Bristol and Manchester; notes the disturbing press reports arising from the ever increasing problem of noise related inter-neighbour disputes; notes the representation from pressure groups who believe that the combination of obsolete law and inefficient local authorities has led to loss of public confidence in the legal system, increased costs to local authorities, DSS, and the criminal justice systems; notes that it is Government policy as set out in The Health of the Nation, to attempt to reduce the national suicide rate by 15 per cent. by the year 2000; therefore urges the Government to introduce a new offence of night noise nuisance for severe noise problems occurring between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. carrying a minimum penalty of ú500, reflecting the number of citizens disturbed; and, in addition, urges that a full review of the practical problems associated with the enforcement of current laws should be undertaken without delay by a panel of environmental health officers, the police and representative pressure groups, namely those who suffer from or who are directly concerned with tackling the problem.

This motion has been signed by a total of 38 MPs.