TORY MPs FRUSTRATE BILLS ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2.51.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Apr 2008

Four Conservative MPs, with the support of their front bench, have just (2.30pm) used the procedural device of 'talking out' to defeat a private member's bill to protect children from junk food advertising.

One of the Tory backbenchers also prevented a bill to promote energy efficiency in government buildings from moving on to its next stage.

The Food Products (Marketing to Children) Bill is backed by Cancer Research uk, Diabetes uk and the British Heart Foundation. Parliamentary supporters of the bill, including Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, were attacked as 'health zealots' in Tory speeches.

'I think I plead guilty to being a health zealot, certainly when it comes to my children' said the Lib Dem MP who is also secretary of the all-party group on corporate responsibility. 'I think it was shameful of the Conservatives to prevent these important bills from being put to the vote.'

Both bills still have a theoretical chance of becoming law but their chances have been sharply reduced.