HC Deb 15 December 1977 vol 941 cc898-9
12. Mr. Loyden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will raise with the Independent Broadcasting Authority the operation of its code of practice on television advertising, and, in particular, the matter of Christmas television advertising of toys at times when children are likely to be watching.

Mr. John

These are matters for the Independent Broadcasting Authority under the IBA Act 1973. The Annan Committee recommended, however, that there should be no advertisements within or between children's programmes and that the advertising of products or services of particular interest to children should not be shown before 9 p.m. We are considering this recommendation in the light of the comments that we have received on it.

Mr. Loyden

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, but will he take this matter seriously, because in my view and in the view of many of my constituents, grossly exaggerated visual claims are made by television, not only on this product but on other products? I believe that that part of consumer protection needs tightening up.

Mr. John

Nothing in my answer should lead my hon. Friend to believe that I do not take it seriously. We are considering the Annan Committee's recommendations most seriously and I shall certainly look at this aspect of it, because I understand the points that my hon. Friend is making.

Mr. Brotherton

Does the Minister agree that the responsibility for children buying toys lies not with the Independent Broadcasting Authority but with the parents?

Mr. John

Yes, but I think that that is a simplistic view, which one would expect from the hon. Gentleman. He knows the powerful effect of advertising in the Western world.

Mr. Whitehead

Will my hon. Friend discount the last statement, yet again, and take on board the fact that many Labour Members know that children in lower-income families can be brainwashed by these advertisements? That is why the Annan Committee was against advertising during children's programmes.

Mr. John

I accept what my hon. Friend said. I believe that the Annan Committee made its recommendation after careful study. It therefore behoves us, in our turn, to give the report equally careful study.