§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether a Government health warning has now been included in all gold-painted taxicabs carrying the words "Benson and Hedges"; and whether the remaining wording is unchanged;
(2) on what date he first contacted the company concerned about the omission of a health warning on taxicabs painted gold and carrying the words "Benson and Hedges";
(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the action he has taken or proposes to take against the company concerned regarding the omission of a Government health warning from the gold-painted taxicabs carrying a tobacco advertisement which constituted a breach of his voluntary agreement with the tobacco industry on such matters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI am informed that the 100 taxicabs in question were intended to publicise the name of a company which has a range of trading activities, including the manufacture of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The company was told on 8 September that in the Department's view the design of the taxicabs was such as to be seen as indirectly advertising a cigarette brand. In response to the Department's representations, the company decided on 18 November to put in hand arrangements to convert the front door panels of the taxicabs into overt advertisements for a cigarette brand, devoting 15 per cent. of the panels to the standard Government Health Warning. The change had been fully effected by 16 December.