§ 9. Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will have consultations with the chairman of London Regional Transport about its advertising policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAdvertising policy is a matter for the London Regional Transport board, but I would expect to discuss it with the chairman from time to time.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs my hon. Friend aware of the expensive advertising and misinformation campaign about the excellent work of LRT that has been carried out by the GLC? It includes mendacious stories about pensioners losing their concessionary passes after the abolition of the GLC. Is it not time that LRT was assisted in promoting its cause by means of advertising, and is it not time that the GLC stopped its mendacious behaviour?
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe all live in hope that the GLC will stop spreading false rumours. However, LRT believes in answering propaganda with the facts, which is absolutely right. LRT has stringent conditions on the acceptance of advertising. It does not accept advertisements such as those which were accepted when the GLC removed the ban on political advertising for a while to suit its purposes. I assure my hon. Friend that any misinformation published by the GLC will be answered by LRT with the facts.
Mrs. Dun woodyDoes the Minister realise that one way in which LRT can advertise its services is to ensure that everyone knows that they are safe? Therefore, will she make public the report on the £2.5 million fire at Oxford Circus last year, when about 1,000 passengers were trapped underground? There is some evidence to suggest that the report will not be published. Why not?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI understand that the inquiry into that fire—both LRT and the emergency services are to be congratulated on the way in which they got people out of that situation—was not a formal inquiry. I shall look at what the hon. Lady said, but there is no question of anything being hidden away, as her question might imply.