Legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, which banned the sale of unclassified videos and computer games, is not actually enforceable because the government of the day never told the European Commission.

Accordingly the Crown Prosecution Service has been told to drop pending prosecutions against retailers accused of offences under the law. The Video Recordings Act introduced penalties for retailers caught selling violent material to children, and restricted sales of some films to licensed sex shops.

Minister Barbara Follett has written to trade bodies asking them to accept voluntary guidelines until the relevant legislation is passed.

Follett's letter said: "As, twenty five years ago, the then British Government did not notify the European Commission of the VRA's classification and labelling requirements, they cannot now be enforced in the UK courts...I would also like to seek the industry's assurance that they will continue to retail these products in the same way and that they will remain compliant with the provisions of the VRA on a voluntary and best practice basis."

In other news, the Home Office has announced it will adopt recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to ban 'Spice' - a synthetic cannabinoid mixture, gamma-butyrolactone and a like chemical, which are converted by the body into GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and BZP (benzylipiperazine) and related piperazines.

Professor David Nutt, Chair of the ACMD, said: "We welcome the Government's decision to accept our advice and bring GBL; BZP; 1,4-butanediol; synthetic cannabinoids and 24 anabolic steroids within the Misuse of Drugs Act." ®

Related stories

• Scientists flee Home Office after adviser sacking (2 November 2009)
• Top drug boffin renews criticism of cannabis policy (29 October 2009)
• OnLive game beta enters public stream (3 September 2009)
• Teen kidnapped over Sony PSP (26 August 2009)
• Government stamp of approval for fake weed (12 August 2009)
• Digital Britain Game laws to make underage selling illegal (18 June 2009)
• New Pegi videogame ratings designed (17 June 2009)
• BBFC bite back at ELSPA (24 September 2008)
• ELSPA chief lays into UK censor over games ratings (23 September 2008)
• Exclusive Game rating system needs legal backing, claims supporter (12 August 2008)