§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Assistant Commissioner of Police consulted the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for the Environment, the Greater London Council or other bodies before amending the London Cab Order 1934 so as to permit the display of advertisements on the outside of licensed cabs;
What is the normal procedure followed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police when amending the London Cab Order 1934 and whether this procedure was followed in connection with the amendment made permitting exterior advertising on licensed cabs; and
1345WAWhat opportunity was given to the Greater London Council or other interested parties, including the general public, to make representations or lodge objections to the Assistant Commissioner of Police before he amended the London Cab Order 1934 to permit exterior advertising on licensed cabs.
§ Lord EltonThe London Cab Order 1934 may be amended only by order made by the Secretary of State. The Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has power under paragraph 14(L) of the 1934 order to issue directions relating to the display of advertisements inside or outside cabs and under paragraph 7(3) to alter the conditions of fitness relating to cabs. In the exercise of these powers, particularly that under paragraph 7(3), the Assistant Commissioner usually acts simply on the advice of technical experts. On this occasion, because wider issues were involved, the Assistant Commissioner sought the views of a large number of bodies including central and local government, transport, tourism and consumer interests. The Assistant Commissioner took the views of these bodies into account before reaching his decision to permit exterior advertisements on London cabs.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the conditons as to size, content, rentals and the period of licence laid down by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in his directions regarding the display of exterior advertisements on licensed cabs.
§ Lord EltonThe Assistant Commissioner has provided that exterior advertisements may be displayed only on the front door lower panels. Each design of an exterior advertisement must be approved by the Assistant Commissioner. Designs are considered on their individual merits. The financial terms are a matter for the cab proprietors and the advertising agencies.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the revenue from exterior advertisements displayed on licensed cabs will be taken into account when the next application is made for an increase in taxi fares in London.
§ Lord EltonMy right honourable friend has no plans to do so.
§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to transfer from the Assistant Commissioner of Police to the appropriate planning authority for the Greater London area the powers granted to him under legislation passed in the years 1869 and 1907 to give directions on the display of exterior advertisements on licensed cabs.
§ Lord EltonTransfer of control over exterior advertisements to an authority other than the licensing authority would lead to unnecessary confusion and my right honourable friend therefore does not plan to take any such steps.