HC Deb 27 November 1951 vol 494 cc1090-1
18. Mr. Roland Robinson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for what reasons it is proposed to prohibit illuminated advertising signs in Trafalgar Square.

Mr. H. Macmillan

No proposals for prohibiting illuminated advertising signs in Trafalgar Square are yet before me. I shall carefully consider any appeal which may be made to me.

Mr. Robinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the lights of London are of great interest to visitors from the provinces, and will he take every possible step to prevent the spreading of uniform dullness?

Mr. E. H. Keeling

Is the Minister aware that his predecessor sent directions to the London County Council, who passed them on to the Westminster City Council, that any requests or proposals for advertising in or near this Square should be sent to the Minister of Works?

Mr. Macmillan

I am not aware of that.

Sir Harold Webbe

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that in the event of proposals made to this end by the City Council and of objection raised thereto, a full public inquiry will be held into the whole problem of these advertisements before any decision is reached; and is he aware that these advertisements have been in their present position for 30 years without, so far as I am aware, any shattering effect upon the morale of the people?

Mr. Macmillan

I am aware of this possibility, but I thought that I would rather wait and see whether any trouble arises or not.