§ Mr. Matesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Freeson) on 1 February, if he is yet in a position to announce a decision on the use of the Royal parks by hackney carriages displaying external advertisements.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has decided that licensed London hackney carriages carrying external advertisements approved by the Metropolitan Police as the licensing, authority shall be exceptionally allowed in the Royal parks. The necessary amendment will be made in due course to the regulations governing the Royal parks. Meanwhile each company or individual owner-driver wishing to display such advertisements will need to seek my right hon. Friend's written permission to use the Royal parks.