§ 17 Mr. Godfrey Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many local authorities have made by-laws under the Advertisements Regulation Acts; whether these bylaws follow the same general lines; what is the system adopted for their enforcement; and how many local authorities have not made any such by-laws;
(2) whether he is aware that in many places, notably along the main approaches to towns, houses and scenery are disfigured by unsightly advertisements; whether he can and will approach local authorities in order to bring about more complete and continuous enforcement of existing by-laws designed to prevent such disfigurement; and whether he will consider such amendment of the Advertisements Regulation Acts as would prevent undesirable forms of advertisement which may prove to be still legal;
(3) whether the agreement concluded in 1924 between certain commercial companies to refrain from exhibiting advertisements in places where they might conflict with the amenities of their surroundings is still in force; if so, what companies are a party to it; and whether steps can be taken to secure the adherence of all companies which make a practice of advertisement by poster?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)By-laws applying to rural districts and to urban districts with a population of less than 10,000 have been made by all the county councils in England and Wales; 86 out of 372 boroughs and 56 of the 305 urban districts the population of which exceeds 538 10,000 and which are therefore by-law making authorities, have also made by-laws under the Acts. These by-laws have been framed on the lines of model forms prepared by the Home Office. Proceedings for breach of the by-laws can be taken by anyone who sees fit to do so, but in practice it generally falls to the local authority which made them to take steps for their enforcement. A county council can if it so wishes delegate to the councils of urban districts to which its by-laws apply and to the councils of the rural districts in the county the powers of the county council in regard to enforcement. The agreement of 1924 to which my hon. Friend refers was a voluntary arrangement concluded between four large petrol companies for the withdrawal of competitive advertisements from roadsides in rural areas, and, so far as I know, is still being observed. I have every sympathy with my hon. Friend's desire to prevent disfigurement of the countryside by advertisements, and I will do what I can to help to promote this object. The methods by which it can be secured need careful consideration, and I shall be very glad to receive my hon. Friend's suggestions if he will get into touch with me.
§ Mr. NicholsonWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his encouraging answer, may I ask him whether, if some general measure of agreement can be obtained, the Home Office will introduce a Bill or give support and encouragement to a private Member's Bill that might be introduced to implement such an agreement?
§ Sir S. HoareI think that I have shown by my answer that I am very sympathetic to both those two contingencies.
§ Mr. ThurtleDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the only effective way of getting rid of these unsightly advertisements is to get rid of the competitive capitalist system?
§ Mr. SandysCan my right hon. Friend say whether his powers extend to preventing the disfigurement not only of scenery, but of the sky by aeroplane advertising; and, if not, will be consider that aspect of the question?
§ Sir S. HoareI am not sure whether the air comes within the cognisance of the Home Office.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteIs my right hon. Friend aware that a conference is sitting of the various associations of local authorities and the Scapa Society to consider this matter and to see what can be done, and will he give sympathetic consideration to their findings?
§ Sir S. HoareYes, I shall certainly be very interested in the findings, and I will give the most sympathetic consideration to them.