(2) with reference to the answer of 6 May 2008, Official Report, column 746W, on MP3 players, what his Department’s policy is on the determination of safe levels of noise in relation to the use of personal music players;
(3) if he will take steps to increase levels of public awareness of the potential effects on hearing of listening to personal music players at high noise levels; and if he will make a statement;
(4) if he will take steps to encourage manufacturers of personal MP3 players to provide users of such players with information on levels of noise which may damage hearing; and if he will make a statement;
(5) whether his Department has had discussions with manufacturers of personal music players on the potential effects on hearing of their use; and if he will make a statement.
The safety and regulation of consumer products, such as personal music players is, within Government, primarily a matter for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The Department welcomes the report of the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks. The Department, advised by the Health Protection Agency, keeps under review the risks to health which may be attributed to various kinds of noise. The Department has no plans at present for an information campaign on the risks to hearing posed by the use of personal music players.