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Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I shall now talk about the strong evidence base for the Bill. Research commissioned by Cancer Research UK last year found that, in England, 6 per cent. of 11 to 17-year-olds—more than 250,000 children—had used sunbeds. That is a shocking statistic. There are worrying hot spots, particularly in places such as Liverpool and Sunderland where 50 per cent. of 15 to 17-year-old girls are using sunbeds. In Wales, 8 per cent. of children aged between 11 and 17 have used a sunbed, and the figure is more than one in five for girls aged between 15 and 17. Malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is increasing at an alarming rate across the UK. Sunbed use, particularly by those aged under 35, significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer in later life, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) said. About 2,000 people each year die from malignant melanoma and it is now the most common cancer in young adults aged 15 to 34. People from the most affluent areas have better malignant melanoma survival rates than those from deprived area. The evidence for taking stronger action on sunbeds is clear.