Written question asked by Mark Todd (Labour) on Friday, 28 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 February 2005. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether she has discussed with Ofcom the control of advertising of mobile phone services through media products with a high level of readership amongst children. - Inc fact that the control of advertising of mobile phone services is not a matter for Ofcom.

Answer: Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she has discussed with Ofcom the control of advertising of mobile phone services through media products with a high level of readership among children. [213372] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The control of advertising of mobile phone services is not a matter for Ofcom. The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (2000) recommended a precautionary approach towards the use of mobile phones by children and recommended that the mobile network industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children. In line with the IEGMP's precautionary approach, the mobile operators reviewed their marketing policies to ensure they do not actively market mobile phones to under-16s. The report by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in January 2005 endorsed this precautionary approach. The Government are currently considering the findings of the NRPB report and will be discussing them with industry, including the recommendation related to promoting phone use by children.

Secondary information