Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Police de l’Environnement is a unit within the Mauritius Police Force and was established in December 2000 with a view to assisting my Ministry for the enforcement of environmental law. The unit is presently under the charge of an Inspector of Police. With regard to parts (a) (i) and (ii) of the question, the Police de l’Environnement, is currently staffed with 36 officers and 8 patrol vehicles are available respectively. Additional vehicles from the fleet of my Ministry are provided wherever necessary. With your permission, Madam Speaker, I am tabling the breakdown on a district-wise basis. As for part (a) (iii) of the question, the Environment Protection (Control of Noise) Regulations 2022 makes provision for different categories of noise: neighbourhood, industrial power stations and specified permissible sound level limit for each category. The regulations require the use of a sound level metre. The Police de l’Environnement has currently two sound level metres in its custody. My Ministry is in the process of acquiring more sound level metres. I am further informed that action is being initiated at the level of the police department for the procurement of sound level metres for the police force. Madam Speaker, the House may wish to be informed that, as per legal provisions in relation to noise pollution, contained in the regulation 3(2) of the Environment Protection (Control of Noise) Regulations 2022 – “[…] the authorised officer or the enforcing agency shall consider – (a) the intensity of the noise as perceived by the ears;” and initiate actions against noise nuisances such as loud music, noise from vehicles and premises. Fixed penalties are issued for non-compliance. These regulations empower the authorised officers to take actions without the use of sound level metres. Besides, fixed penalty booklets have been sent to all police stations across the island for the enforcement at their level. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the Parliamentary Question, I am informed that the number of contraventions established since December 2024 up to 19 March 2026 by the Police de l’Environnement is as follows –  Making or causing noise which constitute a nuisance – 161 contraventions;  Littering – 1,887, and  Illegal dumping – 95.

Yes. Time is up! One last.

Madam Speaker, I am sad to note that the already meagre …

Don’t make a statement! Put in a question.

No, the question is – How does the hon. Minister explain after the commitment he took last year, one year ago in this House, that the 37 at the time that was posted one per district per shift police officer de l’Environnement, has now reduced to 36, the number of vehicles is the same, the sound level metres is meagre to sound level noise recording devices? How then will the hon. Minister make good on his promise to fight and combat and enforce noise pollution regulations in this country when in fact, the number of staff in this department is going from 37 to 36 for the whole island?

Madam Speaker, the staffing of the Police de l’Environnement is not decided by me; it is decided by the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police is aware of the situation. The hon. Prime Minister replied to one question recently and the Commissioner of Police has informed that he will be providing us with additional officers but apart from the police officers of the Police de l’Environnement, the Commissioner of Police has given directives to all the police officers everywhere. There is no need only for one officer of the Police de l’Environnement. Every officer should be a Police de l’Environnement. And, there is regular meetings with the ACP and the district commanders at least to involve them in the fight against this very important issue. With regard to vehicles also, we are providing them. So, we are increasing vehicles. We all know the budgetary constraint; I won’t go into the heritaz of the past government but we are providing because even in the stations, there are police vehicles and they are acting. I know that this problem of noise pollution is a cause of concern not only to the hon. Member but also to us, all Members of Parliament. We are taking all steps at least to act and also, we need the collaboration of the public.

To pou al dir mazistra zot zorey ti record …

Come on!

(Interruptions)

Come on! Time is up!

To problem zis Grand Gaube twa!

(Interruptions)

Time is up! We will soon be breaking for tea. Time is up now! I have to inform you …

(Interruptions)

If you stop talking, maybe I can talk, although I have a big voice, which is not the case of every Minister. The Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/115, B/117, B/123, B/124, B/125, B/126, B/129, B/133, B/135, B/138, B/139, B/140, B/141, B/144, B/147, and B/148. Thank you.