HC Deb 17 September 2003 vol 410 cc782-3W
Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what figures her Department has collated on the(a) proportion of advertising during children's television scheduling that involves marketing of food products and (b) proportion of food advertising during children's television scheduling that involves promotion of food of low nutritional value. [129645]

Estelle Morris

The Department has not undertaken research on food advertising during children's television scheduling. However, figures relating to this issue have been provided to the Department by my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge and others.

Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had in the last 12 months with the Department of Health on the issue of food and drink advertising to children. [129646]

Estelle Morris

The Department has had limited discussions with the Department of Health regarding this issue over the last 12 months, in the context of broadcast advertising, but will be represented at the forthcoming meeting of the Department of Health's Food and Health Action Plan Steering Group. The Department is fully supportive of Government initiatives to tackle the problem of child obesity and is working closely with the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills on these as well as developing its own health initiatives relating to increased physical activity, particularly in children.

Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received in the last 12 months on the issue of food and drink advertising to children from(a) the advertising industry, (b) the food and drink industry and (c) organisations concerned with providing public health. [129647]

Estelle Morris

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received any formal representations from the advertising industry on the issue of food and drink advertising to children, but is aware of the industry's views. The Department has also had informal discussions with the food and drink industry regarding the European Commission's consideration of proposals on broadcast advertising. In May 2003, the Secretary of State met my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge and representatives of several public health promotion organisations to discuss this matter.