§ Siobhain McDonaghTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with representatives of the statutory undertakers about graffiti on their street furniture or other property; and if she will make a statement. [118089]
§ Mr. MorleyOne option we included in the Defra-led consultation exercise "Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities" was to create a new duty on the owners of street furniture to keep their relevant property clear of graffiti and flyposting.
We received a number of responses to the consultation exercise on this option from statutory undertakers, including British Telecom, NTL, Telewest Broadband and Adshel. All that responded were willing to discuss the issues with Government. Defra officials with Home Office colleagues are meeting British Telecom representatives shortly.