Bill targets teenage magazines

MARIANNE MACDONALD

Media Correspondent

Sexually explicit teenage magazines will be obliged to print the intended age range of their readership if a Bill introduced into the House of Commons today is successful.

The Bill, sponsored by Peter Luff, the Tory MP for Worcester, is the result of his decision to flick through a magazine he had bought for his 10-year-old daughter, Rosie, on holiday.

Mr Luff is bringing his Periodical (Protection of Children) Bill into the House under the 10-minute rule, which is more normally used as a platform for debate. It has two clauses. The first would oblige publishers of teenagers' magazines to print the lowest recommended reader age on the cover.

The second would allow a body such as trading standards departments to fine those who did not.

The Private Member's Bill is being supported by five Tory backbenchers, three Labour MPs, and a Liberal Democrat.