§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek powers to instruct car manufacturers to take road safety and national speed limits into consideration when advertising their products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardI see no need for new powers. There are already controls over the way that motor cars can be advertised which include safeguards against undue emphasis on top speed and fast driving. The Independent Broadcasting Authority vets all advertisements before they are broadcast on independent television. The authority refuses any advertisement which might encourage illegal or unsafe driving practices. It also controls radio advertising. Advertisements in other media are subject to the British code of advertising practice which is administered by the Advertising Standards Authority. Among other things, the code requires that advertisements should not contain anything which is likely to bring the law into disrepute or incite anti-social behaviour; nor should they show or advocate dangerous or unsafe practices, except in the context of the promotion of safety. 589W The ASA is prepared to deal with complaints that the code is not being followed and will take action to deal with any breaches of it.