§ Dr. SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the total cost of the production and distribution of the Health Education Authority magazine entitled, "The Best Sex Guide"; how many copies were produced; and what methods of distribution were used;
(2) what steps were taken to obtain parental advice on the editorial content and design of the Health Education Authority magazine "The Best Sex Guide"; and what control she expects parents to exercise over the distribution of this magazine to their children;
(3) what consultations she has had regarding the consistency of the method of distribution of the Health Education Authority magazine "The Best Sex Guide" with Government policy;
(4) what age group was targeted by the Health Education Authority with the magazine, "The Best Sex Guide"; and who was responsible for the editorial content.
§ Mr. Sackville"The Best Sex Guide" magazine was produced by the Health Education Authority in collaboration with BBC Radio 1. It was aimed at young people of 16 and over. A total of 500,000 copies were distributed direct to young people on and around World AIDS Day 1993, 1 December, through a 24-hour event at438W Tower Records, Piccadilly, at some licensed concert and music venues and some colleges and health promotion units for use at their discretion. Production and distribution of the leaflet cost £83,000. The content and style, developed by the HEA, was based on consultation with Radio 1 about the needs of their audience and the HEA's general research into the views of young people and parents. The HEA produces a range of material targeted at specific population groups to address the requirement of the Government strategy on preventing unwanted pregnancies, the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Ministers were not consulted in advance on this publication. There is a clear public health responsibility to give advice on safer sex to those who have chosen to become sexually active in their late teens outside a stable relationship. While this publication was aimed at that group alone, the HEA will obviously need to take account of the wider public reaction in taking forward health promotion in this very sensitive field.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Health Education Authority has spent in producing "The Best Sex Guide".
§ Mr. Sackville"The Best Sex Guide" magazine was produced by the Health Education Authority in collaboration with BBC Radio 1. Production and distribution costs were £83,000 with the BBC contributing some further funding to the production of the booklet.