§ 24. Mr. John Fraserasked the Minister for Trade what progress has been made in negotiations on the European Community draft directive on advertising.
§ Dr. VaughanDiscussions are still continuing in Brussels on this directive. Our aim is that it should be compatible with our own system of self-regulation.
§ Mr. FraserWhy do these things take so long, when, about three years ago, we had virtually reached agreement with the Commission about the terms of the directive, which would leave the Advertising Standards Authority largely in the present position, but with a legal back-up? Why is it not possible to move faster in these matters, instead of spending, as in the direct selling directive, up to six years of negotiations while we delay doing anything in this country?
§ Dr. VaughanI do not accept that these things are taking so long. We have speeded up a great deal since the Labour Government were in office. In Europe we are 656 pursuing a policy of self-regulation wherever possible, and my Department, instead of waiting for European directives to come to us, is now going into Europe and pursuing British policies in that direction.