Transport Motor Vehicles (Noise) 36. Mr. Leavey asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce regulations prescribing noise levels, based on an acceptance of the internationally agreed methods of noise measurement as applied to motor vehicles. Mr. Hay The International Standards Organisation has not yet agreed the proposed standard method of measuring noise from motor vehicles. In view of the delay, we propose to put in hand the making of new regulations based on the revised British Standard, which I understand will be published shortly. It will, however, be some time before new regulations in this complex field can be drafted and the statutory consultations completed. Mr. Leavey While thanking my hon. Friend for that statement, may I ask him for an assurance that, when these regulations are introduced, he and his right hon. Friend will use what good offices they can to see that they are robustly enforced, since he will agree that a great deal of noise resulting from transport is wholly unnecessary and, indeed, is deliberately created? This is a matter in which a great deal of progress can be made by robust administration of the regulations. Mr. Hay It is because we are well aware of these considerations that we are taking the action I mentioned. We are, in fact, going a little ahead of international agreement on this matter. British Transport Commission (Houses) 46. Mr. Hector Hughes asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to undertake the immediate repair, with a view to letting, of all untenanted houses in their possession. Mr. Marples No, Sir. This is a matter of management for the Commission. Mr. Hughes Does the Minister realise that this doctrine of the day-to-day affairs of the Commission can be carried too far and that this problem has been rendered acute by the closure of branch lines in Scotland? Is he aware that many of the buildings at level crossings and elsewhere are lying derelict and are a great loss of public property? Will he remedy this state of affairs? Mr. Marples I am afraid that this is a matter of day-to-day management for the Commission. Mr. Gresham Cooke Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the same time there is a good deal of evidence coming to hand to show that the British Transport Commission is very slow in getting rid of untenanted and unwanted property? Will he give a general direction to the Commission telling it to hurry up and to get rid of the houses and buildings and so on which it does not require? Mr. Marples No, I will not give a general direction to the Commission, but when reorganisation takes place it will no doubt have greater powers than it now has about property. Channel Tunnel 47. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the need to decide future policy for the improvement of road and rail communications with the Continent of Europe, he will organise at the earliest possible opportunity a conference of those authorities concerned with the problem of the Channel Tunnel. 49. Mr. Teeling asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the need to provide better and cheaper transport facilities for British exports to the Continent of Europe, he will now state Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the authorisation of a Channel Tunnel, so that a decision can be taken in this matter at an early date. Mr. Marples I shall not be in a position to consider calling a conference or to make a policy statement until a later stage in our consultations with the French Government. Mr. Mallalieu Can the right hon. Gentleman say that conversations with the French Government on this subject are taking place? Is he not aware that there is widespread opinion in both countries that the two Governments are playing an Earl of Chatham and Sir Richard Straughan game with this business? Will he make a move? Mr. Marples It cannot be done unilaterally. We are in touch with the French Government through the usual diplomatic channels. Mr. Teeling Can my right hon. Friend tell us exactly how far he is in touch with the French Government? Is he aware that there is tremendous difficulty about developments on the coast on both sides of the Channel because of the uncertainty about how the money is to be spent, as people do not know whether we are to have a tunnel or not? Is he not aware that there is an appalling increase of traffic between the countries? Mr. Marples All I can say is that we are in touch with the French Government. I had better leave it at that. Coal (Transport) 48. Mr. P. Noel-Baker asked the Minister of Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the transport of coal by lorry. Mr. Marples The Government's policy is to permit the transport of coal by lorry according to the desire of the user and the facilities available. Mr. Noel-Baker Does not the Minister agree that it is far more suitable that coal should be carried by rail? Does he think that the small marginal gain in road costs to industrial undertakings should outweigh the grave nuisance caused to the public by coal lorries in many places such as Derby? Mr. Marples Most of the coal is taken by rail, of course, and it is a traffic suitable to rail. In those cases where industrialists choose to send it by road it is obviously because the balance of advantage lies in taking it by road. Mr. Noel-Baker Should not the public loss in the discharge of diesel fumes and accidents and other things be a grave factor on the other side? Mr. Marples It is very difficult to assess all those things. Dame Irene Ward In his assessment of the carriage of coal, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that coastal shipping is also available, and will he take care not to eliminate coastal shipping in this matter? Mr. Marples I do not think that Derby has a great deal of coastal shipping.