HC Deb 26 March 1963 vol 674 cc1101-2
16. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what further steps he now proposes to take to control advertising on business premises in order to protect the public amenities against unsightly clutter.

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend is considering the effect of the advertising industry's own code of standards in reducing clutter on business premises in the rural areas where it began its campaign. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to indicate his views to the industry and to the local authority associations.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present Minister's predecessor gave a pledge in 1960 that he would report on what progress had been made as a result of the efforts of the advertising industry? Three years have now passed and we have heard nothing, apart from a public statement that this is an important subject. Secondly, will the hon. Gentleman consult bodies like the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and the Civic Trust about the growing menace of facia boards on business premises?

Mr. Corfield

The code only came into operation in March, 1960, and the local authorities were asked to put forward their views only at the end of last year. We will consider all the views of the relevant organisations, including those mentioned by the hon. Member.

Dr. Stross

Does the hon. Gentleman remember that we were told by the former Minister that he would give two years, and only two years, to seeing whether the scheme would work satisfactorily? The code is not working satisfactorily. Will the hon. Gentleman do something about it now?

Mr. Corfield

As I have said, my right hon. Friend will be considering the views of the local authorities very shortly. But many thousands of signs have been removed as a result of the code, and it is right that where an industry is prepared to make efforts to put its own house in order we should give it the opportunity to do so.