THE European Parliament's Environment Committee has decided to support an EU ban on the use of incandescent light bulbs. It now falls to the British Government to decide when the ban should be introduced. I feel it is too soon to make such a decision.

I am concerned that the technology used in the manufacture of fluorescent energy saving light bulbs is still at an early stage.

There is evidence that the flicker rate of these bulbs has an adverse effect on medical conditions such as migraine, autism and epilepsy: also, that these bulbs are expensive and current light fittings and switches are not always compatible.

Before introducing a blanket ban on the use of incandescent light bulbs, we should first concentrate on developing a well researched, energy saving alternative.

There is no doubt that energy saving fluorescent light bulbs are better for the environment but we need to be certain that they do not have adverse effects on health and the economy.

Giles Chichester MEP

Conservative MEP

for the South West of England and Gibraltar