§ 3. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent advertising interests have been consulted about the new Regulations proposed for the control of advertisements.
§ 6. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will indicate the extent of the notifications which he has received from the retail trade and its representative organisations in opposition to the draft Control of Advertisement Regulations which he has circulated; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)Copies of draft Regulations have been sent to over fifty organisations covering the advertising industry, retail trade and other interests. I have asked for their observations by the end of the year.
§ Mr. PageHas my right hon. Friend yet received any observations to show the opposition to these draft Regulations which he has circulated? Is it a fact that if the Regulations became law something like three-quarters of a million applications will have to be made for simple little stands advertising newspapers in the forecourts of shops?
§ Mr. BrookeSo far I have received replies from only a few organisations, but there is time for everybody to reply up to 31st December. I have pursued what I thought was the proper democratic course of circulating the Regulations in draft so as to get the observations of all interested parties, and it will then be possible for me to consider the matter as a whole.
§ Mr. LindgrenWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that reputable advertising firms are willing to co-operate in the maintenance of amenities in most areas and that it is the spasmodic, small-time advertiser who creates the greatest problem with regard to disfigurement in certain of the rural areas in particular?
§ Mr. BrookeI do not want to prejudge the matter in any respect. The advertising industry is a very important one, but, at the same time. I am sure that the whole House would want Britain kept beautiful.