Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have examined the Official UK Playstation Magazine for January 1998, the cover of which portrays the computer game "Grand Theft Auto" with the slogan "Crime Does Pay" and in which pages 92–97 enumerate missions, after vehicles have been stolen, including ferrying drugs, kidnapping, blowing up buildings, killing pedestrians and trying to escape in the ensuing police chases; and, if so, whether they consider that this game will have no effect on the young people who may play it in their homes although it can only be sold legally to adults. [HL160]
§ Lord Williams of MostynI have seen the computer magazine to which the noble Lord refers and I share his concern at the publisher's portrayal of the computer game "Grand Theft Auto" with the slogan "Crime Does Pay". This matter has been taken up with the publisher, who has. I understand, received complaints from other sources.
As the noble Lord knows, computer games which are likely to any significant extent to stimulate or encourage crime (or which depict human sexual activity or acts of gross violence) must be submitted to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) for classification.
In classifying material, the board is required, under Section 4A of the Video Recordings Act 1984, to have special regard to any harm that may be caused to potential viewers, or through their behaviour to society, by the manner in which the work deals with, inter alia, criminal behaviour or violence. A "potential viewer" includes a child or young person who is likely to view the work if a classification certificate were issued.
The game "Grand Theft Auto" was submitted for classification and was given an 18 certificate by the Board. It is, therefore, considered suitable for supply only to adults. The classification system which I have described has been established to protect young people. Once a computer game has entered the home, however, parents have a responsibility to supervise their children and to ensure that they are not exposed to unsuitable material.