HC Deb 02 July 1951 vol 489 cc1882-3
22. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give instructions to all road authorities to offer the surrounds and centres of roundabouts on trunk roads to local nurserymen, on condition that they maintain them free of cost in return for the advertising facilities provided.

Mr. Barnes

I do not think that the exhibition of advertisements on roundabouts would be at all desirable.

Mr. Crouch

Is the right hon. Gentleman conversant with the type of advertising involved on these sites, which is a board about six inches high and about two feet long, and does not distract the attention of the motorist? Is he aware that the Wimborne Festival Gardens were entirely laid out by private enterprise?

Mr. Barnes

I deprecate advertisements on highways which divert the attention of drivers from the essential signs.

Mr. Gerald Williams

Has the Minister taken the trouble to see the derelict sites in various parts of the country which have been converted into beautiful gardens in this way, where the signs are not obnoxious and are not more than two feet long? If not, will he do so?