asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is able to report any progress in the development of quieter road surfaces, arising from his Department's research or from other interested sources.

The noise levels of all types of surfaces are currently being reviewed. Reduction of tyre noise has to be balanced against conflicting requirements such as skid resistance at high speeds and durability.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. I hope he will ensure that his Department makes all speed on this project, because the amount of wheel noise which my constituents in Perry Barr have to suffer is tremendous. I take into consideration—

Order. The hon. Member must ask a question.

Will my hon. Friend see that some advance is made by his Department, keeping in mind the speed factor, to cut down noise?

I can tell my hon. Friend that we hope to have the results of the review within two or three months, and next spring we will be carrying out extensive field trials of a new surface which is very encouraging.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any conclusion has yet been reached about the relevant noise generating qualities of concrete roads as opposed to tar roads?

This is being looked at in the context of the review and of the problem which I know is worrying my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Kinsey). I hope that we will be able to make real progress on that in the near future.