§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce new guidelines for the Advertising Standards Agency limiting references to engine performance and speed acceleration in car advertisements.
§ Mr. LeighThe Advertising Standards Authority requires that all advertisements should be legal, decent, honest and truthful and should conform to its British code of advertising practice.
The Advertising Standards Authority already monitors car advertisements for claims relating to speed, power, acceleration and performance. Its April 1992 survey confirmed an overall improvement in compliance with British code of advertising practice of car performance advertisements.
The Advertising Standards Authority will investigate any written complaint about advertisements, and if the hon. Gentleman has details of any particular advertisement, I suggest that he contact the Advertising Standards Authority direct.
The British code of advertising practice is due to be substantially reviewed early next year. Although the terms of reference for that revision have yet to be decided, the Advertising Standards Authority says that they are likely to be wide ranging.