§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the operation of regulations pertaining to advertising of cosmetic surgery. [122307]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 16 May 2000]: I am satisfied that the powers given to the Director General of Fair Trading by the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, together with the self-regulatory system operated by the Advertising Standards authority, are effective in controlling advertising in the United Kingdom. However, the Government recognise that advertising controls alone may not be sufficient in the field of cosmetic surgery to ensure that the information patients receive is of an acceptable standard and my colleagues in the Department of Health are therefore considering how best to take this matter forward.