§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what authority the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police may license the disfigurement of London by widening the area of commercial advertising on public service vehicles plying for hire in the streets of the capital, and what Minister will be accountable in Parliament for his action.
§ Lord BelsteadThe London Cab Order 1934, made under the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869 and the London Cab and Stage Carriage Act 1907, provides that a cab licence holder shall not, otherwise than in accordance with the directions of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, display any advertisement inside or outside the cab.
On 1st December 1981, the Assistant Commissioner amended his directions so as to permit the display of exterior advertisements. Each design must be individually approved. Similar provisions had already applied to interior advertisements for some years. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is responsible for the 1934 order, but permission to display advertisements is a matter for the Assistant Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of that order.